DUNDEE, Mich. – She was just 15 years old.
Bella Creque, a Dundee Community Schools student, is remembered by her mother as an “old soul” who once loved school and her animals. But something changed.
“This was a girl that would go from missing no school, and all of a sudden she’s missing quite a bit of school,” said her mother, Deborah Creque.
And on March 30, Deborah said she and her husband made a horrifying discovery in their backyard.
“I ran out there, and she was just hanging in the tree. She was just hanging there, and I started to do chest compressions,” Deborah said. “I knew she was gone, but I was just like maybe she wasn’t hanging there that long. Every day, I see that vision, and I hate it.”
Deborah, who adopted Bella as a baby, believes bullying played a major role in her daughter’s death. She says the school district could have — and should have — done much more.
“How many of you are beating yourself up wondering where things went wrong?” she said at a recent Dundee Board of Education meeting. “I don’t want another parent to go through what my husband and I had to go through.”
Her plea came as both criminal and Title IX investigations are underway concerning the Dundee High School wrestling team.
Wrestling Team Investigation
According to a statement, May 14, 2025, from the Dundee Police Department, the investigation began April 16, 2025, when the school district received an anonymous tip alleging misconduct by team members during the winter 2024 state high school wrestling tournament in Kalamazoo.
The tip described potential criminal behavior, including hazing and assault.
Dundee Community Schools administrators and School Resource Officer John Schiappacasse said he launched a joint investigation, which uncovered additional incidents of hazing and assault on Dundee school buses and in the school’s locker and wrestling rooms.
Video evidence was provided by involved parties, prompting the district to enlist a law firm to investigate possible violations of Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs.
The department stated the investigation is ongoing, and if it reveals violations of Title IX, district policy, or athletic department rules, further consequences may follow.
Because juveniles are involved, their identities remain confidential.
Police confirmed criminal activity occurred in both Kalamazoo and Dundee.
However, the department stated, the parents of local victims declined prosecution.
The Kalamazoo incident has been referred to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office and the prosecutor for further review.
The Dundee Police Department emphasized its ongoing partnership with the district to maintain school safety, highlighting the work of two full-time school resource officers.
Community Demands Change
Bella’s death and the wrestling investigation have sparked widespread outrage among students and parents, many of whom are now coming forward with their own experiences of bullying and inaction by the district.
“My son can no longer come here because he was bullied,” said one parent at the same meeting. “He was attacked within this building. De-panced within this building, and nothing was done.”
“These kids have a right to feel safe at school. Mine doesn’t feel safe, and her feelings are valid,” said another parent.
“I reported almost every time I heard the words ‘kill yourself’ come out of a student’s mouth — whether it was to me or someone else. I gave up. I gave up,” said a student.
“We have one child dead and a Title IX investigation. Do better,” said another parent.
Some in the community are calling for urgent changes to the district’s leadership and policies.
“If you’re gonna take on this administration role, then you need to have the balls to have zero tolerance and back it all up,” Deborah Creque said.
Superintendent Statements
Superintendent Scott Leach issued a statement to Dundee families on May 8, 2025, but declined to comment to Local 4 any further on May 14, 2025:
“At Dundee Community Schools, the health, safety, and well-being of our entire Viking community is our top priority.
As you may know, we were recently saddened to learn about the sudden death of one of our students.
Our hearts continue to go out to the student’s family and friends following this unimaginable loss.
We have numerous supports in place, including trained mental health specialists who are available to our students, staff, and families.”
Leach continued:
“Following the death of our student, we conducted a thorough review of our school records. We found no evidence, records, or reports of bullying, harassment, or intimidation of any kind related to the student.
At Dundee Community Schools, we do not tolerate bullying, harassment, or intimidation of any kind.
We thoroughly investigate all reports of bullying consistent with our school policies and procedures. Bullying can carry serious disciplinary consequences, including expulsion.”
Leach said the district is reviewing its reporting procedures and encouraged anyone with concerns to contact school administrators, resource officers, or trusted staff. He also noted the district’s partnership with Care Solace, a service connecting families with mental health providers.