Portsmouth Family Awarded $5.4M in Teen Suicide Case

A jury found a high school coach and administrators negligent, linking their actions to Nathan Bruno's death.

The lawsuit alleged that football coach Ryan Moniz pressured Nathan Bruno to reveal other students involved in prank calls, contributing to Bruno's emotional distress.
Jurors determined that Moniz's actions were the proximate cause of Bruno's suicide, leading to the significant financial award for the family.
The jury also found negligence on the part of school administrators and a Jamestown detective, although they were not held responsible for Bruno's death.
The case has led to legislative changes, including the Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act, mandating suicide prevention training in Rhode Island schools.
Despite the verdict, legal proceedings continue as Moniz remains a teacher and has filed a lawsuit over his removal as football coach.