Let’s be clear: Kenneth’s death was not just a tragedy—it was preventable. He was tormented, humiliated, and dehumanized. He was a kid. And the adults around him failed to protect him.
One of those adults—his manager, Harley Branham—was charged with involuntary manslaughter, making national headlines. It was one of the rare times in U.S. history that someone was held legally accountable for creating a hostile workplace that drove someone to suicide.
According to the Teen Vogue investigation, Branham repeatedly mocked Kenneth’s weight, the way he spoke, and forced him to do humiliating tasks—like cleaning the floor on his hands and knees while customers watched.
Not co-workers. Not other managers. Not Dairy Queen corporate.
This wasn’t just about school bullying or “feeling left out.” This was workplace abuse. And nobody held the line.
Kenneth wrote a goodbye letter before ending his life with a gun outside his family’s home. He apologized for not being stronger.
But he shouldn’t have had to be.
A coroner’s inquest in Howard County made the rare decision to recommend criminal charges, concluding that Branham’s behavior directly contributed to Kenneth’s death. While charges were later dropped, the case cracked open a long-ignored truth: workplace bullying can kill, and our legal system is woefully behind in addressing it.
Teenagers in the workforce are often dismissed as “part-timers” or “kids with summer jobs.” But they’re still workers, and they’re entitled to respect and safety.
Kenneth’s story is a brutal reminder that:
We say his name not just to mourn him, but to fight for others like him. Every young person deserves to work in a place where they feel safe, respected, and human.
If you’re a teen who’s being bullied at work—or if you see it happening—speak up if it’s safe to. You’re not overreacting. You’re not weak. You’re not alone.
We’re building the Echo Movement with the same bold energy you see in the world’s most forward-thinking platforms.
On September 10, 2025, America saw two school shootings in one day — one at Utah Valley University and another at Evergreen High School in Colorado. As Colorado relives the trauma of Columbine nearly three decades later, we must confront how bullying, trauma, and silence fuel cycles of violence that continue to devastate our schools.
On August 27, 2025, tragedy struck Minneapolis when a shooter opened fire during a school Mass at the Church of the Annunciation. Two children were killed, 18 others were injured, and countless lives were shattered. This was the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025—a devastating reminder that our children are growing up in a world where violence echoes through classrooms, churches, and communities.
On June 4, 2024, 15-year-old Brandon Hatchell, a freshman at Darlington High School in South Carolina, was found dead in his home. His death has been ruled a suicide, and his family is now taking legal action against the Darlington County School District, alleging that ongoing bullying and negligence by school officials contributed directly to his death. The lawsuit claims that repeated reports of harassment were ignored, leaving Brandon feeling hopeless and unprotected.
