Tragic girl boxer, 18, ‘bullied at university right up to her death’
A YOUNG boxer found dead in her home had been bullied relentlessly at school and then by university classmates, her sister has said.
Nicola Rattray, 18, died on November 1, weeks after winning a comeback fight following the birth of her daughter.
But her sister Lauren said the teenager’s life had been ‘made a misery’ by cruel bullies. In a Facebook post, the 24-year-old wrote: ‘Nicola was a very happy young girl, she had a great childhood until she went into secondary school.
‘Certain people made her life a misery. Throwing stones at her. Making sure she had no friends. Calling her every name under the sun. No child should ever go through this. I could write a book about nasty things young people and adults did to her, for no reason other than the fact she was good at everything she did and people were jealous.’
The boxer, whose daughter Breigha was born in March last year, attended Inverness High School then Inverness College University of the Highlands and Islands.
She returned to the ring in September, winning her bout in the first round. Inverness City Boxing Club will dedicate its next event to her. She trained at the club’s Merkinch Hall gym the night before she died.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Her sister said: ‘Nicola moved to the high school, where she had a great year. Then moved on to college, where again people still gave her non-stop hassle up until the day before this tragedy happened.
‘Others outside of school and college also treated Nic very badly. I know I would not have been able to cope with all the grief people gave her. I’ll never get my sister back but you can stop this happening.’
A spokesman for Inverness College UHI said: ‘Nicola was an engaged, determined student who showed a tremendous amount of potential.
‘Her tragic death has come as a shock to students and staff and we are doing all we can to continue to support her family, classmates and lecturers at this difficult time.’
A spokesman for Highland Council said it would be inappropriate to comment.
■ For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org.