Sarah Hyland leaves social media following her cousin’s death
Sarah Hyland has left social media following the bullying she experienced online in the aftermath of her cousin's tragic death.
Her 14-year-old relative lost her life in a heart-breaking car accident over the weekend.
The actress uploaded a Go Fund Me page to her Twitter, stating that a man named Jeffrey Eggerling was the driver who hit her uncle's car, and he tried to run from the scene.
"Jeffrey Eggerling is a murderer. May he rot in hell."
JEFFERY EGGERLING had two prior DUI’s and tried to RUN from the scene of the crime after hitting my Uncle’s car SO fast that my 14 yr old cousin, who was wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. JEFFERY EGGERLING is a murderer. May he rot in hell. https://t.co/mwlaIvUYrs
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) December 2, 2018
She also asked if her fans could donate to the page to help pay for funeral expenses of her 14-year-old cousin, which backfired.
The backlash came when Twitter users angrily stated that she could afford to pay for the funeral from her own salary, and that there was no need to ask others to contribute.
In a series of tweets, the Modern Family star explained the sense of grief and pain which her cousin's death brought, which was exacerbated by online trolls;
I’d like to ask those who have negative thoughts or opinions about the tragedy that happened to my family, to keep them to themselves. You don’t know all the details. And how dare you attack when a beautiful life has been lost.
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) December 3, 2018
She continued; saying "your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while."
She presumably has contractual obligations to promote her TV show, so the exception to her social media hiatus is for this purpose only.
You guys finally did it. Your horrible negative ignorant words have broken me. Happy? Staying offline for a while. I have a special announcement and video releasing on Wednesday I believe. So. There’s that.
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) December 4, 2018
Some Twitter users declared that because her net worth is roughly $9 million, she should pay for the funeral herself rather than asking her fans for money which they may not have;
You only have yourself to blame for this backlash, unless there's some massive detail we're all missing. Asking complete strangers to contribute to the funeral expenses of your own family member which you could easily pay for yourself is low-class and unconscionable.
— Brie Clarke (@brie_clarke) December 4, 2018
Others claimed that we don't actually know what her assets are, and presumably she has already contributed to the funeral costs, which is no one's business.
Many fans rallied behind her during this tough time, and we agree that when someone is mourning a great loss, attacking their net worth is just a low blow.
We hope she can get through this difficult period in her life, and offer condolences for her cousin's death.