PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) — A jury has reached a verdict in the negligence case stemming from the suicide of a Portsmouth High School teenager nearly seven years ago.
Nathan “Nate” Bruno, 15, died by suicide on Feb. 7, 2018.
The following year, his father, Rick Bruno, filed a lawsuit against school officials, alleging that their actions not only contributed to Nathan’s death, but also caused significant pain and suffering in the months leading up to it.
On Wednesday, the jury ruled in favor of the Bruno family, awarding them $5.4 million in damages. The jury found the former principal, acting principal and athletic director negligent, with former football coach Ryan Moniz deemed the proximate cause of Nathan’s death.
Rick Bruno expressed that the verdict lifted a weight off his shoulders, allowing him to begin the process of healing.
“It took a lot of time, prayer and contemplation to decide if I would move forward with a lawsuit,” he said. “I was actually really hoping that it wouldn’t come to that. So, when the verdict was reached on Wednesday, the first thing I saw was just a relief.”