Alyssa Funke, a 19-year-old student at the University of
Wisconsin–River Falls, tragically ended her life after becoming the target of
intense cyberbullying. The harassment followed the release of a pornographic
video in which she appeared, sparking a wave of hateful messages on her social
media accounts. Despite the deeply disturbing nature of the online abuse,
authorities concluded that the comments did not meet the threshold for criminal
prosecution.
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| Alyssa Funke |
In March, Alyssa—using the stage name Stella Ann—appeared
in a video for CastingCouch-X. During the recording, she shared her excitement
about starting a new chapter in her life. However, her appearance in the adult
film quickly became a point of ridicule among former classmates from Stillwater
High School in Minnesota.
According to reports by KMSP-TV, the backlash was swift and
merciless. Classmates took to Twitter and Facebook to mock and insult her. One
tweet read, “Wow, you’re a thot. Does her dad know?” Another said, “Nothing
quite unites a school like a former porn star. I guess word spreads fast in
Stillwater.” Most comments were so vulgar that mainstream outlets refused to publish
them.
On April 16, Alyssa died by suicide on her family’s
boat—just weeks after the bullying began.
When the Law Falls Short
Despite the hateful messages that flooded her social media
accounts, investigators stated that the behavior did not qualify as criminal
under existing laws. This case has reignited a broader conversation: should
online cruelty that leads to real-life tragedy be treated more seriously by the
legal system?
Many students at Alyssa’s university, along with mental
health advocates, believe the online abuse directly contributed to her decision
to end her life. Her death serves as a painful reminder of how words—even when
typed behind a screen—can have devastating consequences.
Turning Grief Into Action
In the wake of her passing, Alyssa’s family launched the Alyssa
Stop Bullying Fund, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of
cyberbullying. While the initiative has received widespread support, it has
also faced resistance from some who continued to post offensive content—further
highlighting the persistence of online hate culture.
Stillwater Area Public Schools spokesperson Carissa Keister
reiterated the district's commitment to combating both in-person and digital
harassment, saying that anti-bullying policies have been strengthened in light
of such incidents.
A Widespread Issue with Gendered
Implications
Cyberbullying is not an isolated issue. According to recent
studies, at least 16% of students have reported being bullied online
within the past year. When it comes to online sexual harassment, gender often
plays a major role, with females facing disproportionate levels of criticism
and moral judgment—especially if they’re associated with the adult industry.
Tasha Reign, a well-known adult film actress and gender
studies scholar, emphasized that stigma toward sex workers often
intensifies the abuse they face. Reign pointed out that while her years in the
industry have given her a thick skin, no one is immune to the emotional
toll of sexual harassment. She also stressed that empathy and education are
essential to changing public perception—not just of the adult industry, but of
how we treat people in general.
What We Can Learn from Alyssa's Story
- Cyberbullying
can be emotionally lethal even if it
doesn’t meet the legal definition of a crime.
- Words
have power, especially when used to shame or
dehumanize someone.
- Young
adults navigating difficult transitions are
particularly vulnerable to online abuse.
- Gendered
double standards still exist, especially for
those in the adult industry.
- Support
systems—family, school, and community—matter
and can help mitigate the emotional fallout of public shaming.
- Raising
awareness isn’t enough; there is a critical need for
stronger digital literacy, accountability, and empathy in the online
world.
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