Family Says Bullying Led to Gay Wyoming Man's Suicide

A gay Native American man has been found dead in Wyoming, in an apparent suicide after he reportedly endured years of bullying.

Trevor O'Brien, 20, was found dead about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in a park in Gillette, Wyo., the Gillette News Record reports. Gillette Police Department officers said O'Brien took his own life, although the local coroner has yet to issue a verdict. No other information on the circumstances of his death has been released.

Police said they're investigating reports of homophobic harassment directed at O'Brien, who had previously reported that his car was defaced with an antigay slur in 2012. "They put a disparaging word commonly used for homosexuals on the car," Lt. Chuck Deaton told the News Record.

O'Brien posted a picture of the car to Facebook in December:

Other posts from O'Brien deal with mistreatment he suffered for being gay, and one photo shows him with scratches on his face, apparently from a fight, reports Billings, Mont., TV station KTVQ. Family members told the station that O'Brien "felt he had no one to turn to for help."

O'Brien, a member of the Sioux tribe, was a lover of music, especially the songs of Sam Smith. He recently posted a Facebook video of him performing a song made famous by another popular singer -- "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. Watch here.

LGBT youth (ages 24 and younger) who are considering suicide can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at (866) 488-7386. If you are a trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide, Trans Lifeline can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 can also be reached 24 hours a day by people of all ages and identities.