The family of teenager Sophie Parkinson, who was found dead at her home in Liff at the weekend, have spoken of their “charismatic” and “gregarious” girl who was “always laughing”.
Her mum Ruth said she was a “smiling and kind” person who would do anything for anyone, while step-dad Craig Moss said the most hopeful messages following her tragic death had come from her devastated schoolmates at Dundee High School.
The family have also insisted that bullying was not behind her death and said that any such suggestion was “an insult” to those who have actually been victims of bullies.
The 13-year-old Dundee High School pupil was found dead on Saturday morning.
Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances although a comment on Twitter had appeared to suggest bullying had been a factor in the shocking incident.
However, the family say any such suggestions were “baseless”.
Ruth said: “One thing I do know is it was not bullying. I don’t have any answers to why it happened and I want answers that wasn’t the Sophie I knew.
“The Sophie I knew was the girl I was lying with the night before, stroking her hair and chatting to. She was a happy girl but she must have had such deep-seated issues.
“I know she was very well loved by everyone. It’s such a tragic waste. She was so clever, she never had to try very hard at school. She was a really funny girl, always laughing and smiling and kind, always offering to make me a cup of tea.
“I think she was too sensitive to the world and she got hurt by the world. But it’s an insult to the people who actually are being bullied. Her friends were there for her through all the good and the bad times.”
Ruth also praised the school, her schoolfriends and the family’s friends and neighbours for all their support in the aftermath of the tragic event.
“It’s been absolutely overwhelming,” Ruth said. “Even to the extent where people have been coming to the door with food and making sure we eat, because you don’t really feel like eating.
“And people coming and doing my washing and ironing. I can’t begin to describe the kindness we’ve been shown.”
Mr Moss said the best eulogies to Sophie had been the “literally hundreds of messages” left in a memorial corner at the school.
He said some of the stories they have been hearing have been very emotional and said he particularly liked a comment by school rector Dr John Halliday, who described Sophie as having “a liberal interpretation” of the school dress policy.
“She was a very gregarious child and she used to wear a flower in her hair, which wasn’t entirely in the school policy,” said Mr Moss.
“On Tuesday morning at school assembly, the pupils in the first and second forms wore flowers in their hair, which the school allowed. That was very kind.
“The high school and the pupils have just been wonderful and so supportive, particularly over the last few days but also over Sophie’s life.”
He said Mr Halliday had also touched on Sophie’s “huge smile” and said her coloured braces were changed constantly in keeping with her colourful personality.
“She used to ice skate and she would wear her costume around the house. She was such a charismatic personality,” he said.
“People have been so kind and generous. It has brought our family and friends together in a way we didn’t think possible.
“That’s her legacy, which will remain long after her life has ended.”