A bully who admitted to molesting her teenage schoolmate to the point of suicide after months of relentless torture, now works as a nurse where her victim was treated.
Kayla Narey, 31, has been dubbed one of America’s Most Hated People after she pleaded guilty to a targeted harassment campaign against Phoebe Prince in 2010.
She escaped prison and has since rebuilt her life by getting married and taking a job as a nurse at Baystate Medical Center, where Phoebe was treated for an unsuccessful suicide attempt months before her tragic death.
Phoebe, who was just 15 when she died, was targeted after she moved to Massachusetts from Ireland in 2009 and briefly dated Narey’s then-boyfriend Sean Mulveyhill.
Both Mulveyhill and Narey pleaded guilty to criminal victimization of Phoebe in 2011, while the cases of four other teenagers believed to be part of the “South Hadley Six” were eventually dropped.
Kayla Narey, 31, became America’s Most Hated Woman after she pleaded guilty to a targeted harassment campaign against Phoebe Prince in 2010. She is pictured with her husband Dan Berniche
Phoebe, who was just 15 when she died, was targeted after she moved to Massachusetts from Ireland in 2009 and briefly dated Narey’s then-boyfriend Sean Mulveyhill
In now-deleted posts from her social media, Narey regularly posts updates on her achievements since the court case, all while smiling with family members.
She has boasted about graduating from college in 2015 and her career as a nurse at the medical center during the pandemic.
Narey posted a picture of herself hugging her mother Susan at their bachelorette party last June – one of the many milestones Prince’s mother was unable to share with her daughter.
She continues to use social media despite being convicted for tormenting Phoebe online in the run-up to her death – even posting crowing comments gloating over the teen’s subsequent suicide.
When Narey and Mulveyhill were convicted, Anne O’Brien told the court in a victim statement that her daughter’s death would remain with her “until her death”.
“It’s impossible to estimate the impact of Phoebe’s death on our lives,” she told the judge.
“You won’t read to Phoebe anymore and you won’t hear her beautiful soprano voice anymore.”
“How do you measure a future that should rightfully be hers?” “Phoebe was a beautiful, intelligent, sociable daughter with a kind heart who could show compassion for others.”
Now can reveal that Narey was studying to be a registered nurse and works at Baystate Medical Center – where Phoebe was being treated for a previous suicide attempt
Narey (pictured in 2010) pleaded guilty to negligent molestation of Phoebe in 2011, while the trials of four other teenagers believed to be part of the ‘South Hadley Six’ were eventually dropped
Narey posted a picture of herself hugging her mother Susan at their bachelorette party last June – one of the many milestones Prince’s mother was unable to share with her daughter
She also revealed that the last message her daughter sent read, “It would be easier if they gave me a sling.”
Narey met now-husband Dan Berniche while working at the hospital in 2016, five years after the case was resolved, and the couple married in September last year.
His sister introduced them and their wedding page confirmed they became engaged on February 13, 2021 and tied the knot at Quonquont Farm less than two years later.
Pictures from the lavish party show the couple smiling with their family as they celebrate their wedding in Whately, Massachusetts – just half an hour from South Hadley, where Prince hanged himself at her family home.
Several members of the wedding party shared pictures from the big day, including Narey’s sister, who was her matron of honor.
Chelsea Lopez-Polanco said: “When I take the time to savor special moments like this, my heart fills.”
“What a blessing to see so much love and support for my sister and her husband Dan.” I couldn’t be happier for the most unlikely couple.
‘It shall be you and your love will last a lifetime!’ Congratulations!’
Narey met now-husband Dan Berniche while working at the hospital in 2016, five years after the case was resolved, and the couple married in September last year
When Narey and Mulveyhill were convicted, Anne O’Brien told the court in a victim statement that her daughter’s death would remain with her “until her death”.
His sister introduced them and their wedding page confirmed they became engaged on February 13, 2021 and tied the knot at Quonquont Farm less than two years later
Narey herself posted a picture of her wedding day to social media shortly after the celebrations, with the caption, “The best day.”
She also brazenly posed for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations with her family, although her group called Phoebe an “Irish bastard” when she moved to school.
Prince moved to South Hadley, Massachusetts in August 2009 with her younger sister Lauren, who found her body
The former honors student, who was among South Hadley High School’s “most popular” girls, was studying at Elms College, a small Catholic liberal arts college, months after the case was solved.
She then began nursing training at Baystate Health Center, where Phoebe had been treated for a suicide attempt in November 2009 before taking her own life on January 14, 2010.
Baystate Medical Center was part of a new “bullying and suicide prevention forum” following Phoebe’s death.
Prosecutors said Narey callously posted the word “done” on her Facebook page the day after Prince’s suicide, apparently hailing her death as an “achievement.”
Reporter EJ Fleming also claims in her book on Prince’s death that Narey and her friends mimicked hang gestures at a school dance after her suicide.
She also brazenly posed for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations with her family, although her group called Phoebe an “Irish bastard” when she moved to school
The former honor student (pictured in 2010), who was one of the “popular” girls at South Hadley High School, went on to attend Elms College, a small Catholic liberal arts college
O’Brien revealed the last message her daughter sent was, “It would be easier if they gave me a noose.”
Narey has shared several milestones on social media throughout her life, despite being part of the agony that robbed Prince of her life
She later posted to Prince’s memorial pages on Facebook, “I’m sorry I pushed a mentally unstable girl to suicide.”
Other bad posts included, “She got what she deserved,” “She was a wimp,” and “If you kill yourself for bullying, you’re a big failure.”
Narey, who lives in a $515,000 farmhouse with her new husband, appears not to have kept in touch with her school friends who were also implicated in the schoolgirl’s death.
Her then-boyfriend, Mulveyhill, has since been accused of raping a student at Mount Holyoke College, where he worked as a bartender, according to the Boston Globe.
The parents were reportedly “angry” that he was able to get a job at an all-female school in the same city where Prince committed suicide.
Mulveyhill violated the terms of his parole in 2013 when he was arrested for burglary. The 21-year-old student claimed he attacked her in 2019 after she drove him home.
The outcome of the case is unclear as Mulveyhill denied the claims during the initial court hearings.
Another harassment case was opened by prosecutors in 2017 against Narey’s co-defendant Ashley Longe, now calling herself Ashley Koske.
Narey, who lives in a $515,000 farmhouse with her new husband, appears not to have kept in touch with her school friends who were also implicated in the schoolgirl’s death
Mullins was heard saying “that newbie Phoebe” “should get her ass kicked,” while Velazquez (pictured in 2010) offered to punch her in the face, according to legal documents.
According to The Daily Hampshire Gazette, she is accused of threatening to slit the “tires and throat” of another woman.
Koske pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, threatening to damage a motor vehicle and criminal harassment in Eastern Hampshire District Court.
Prince moved to South Hadley, Massachusetts in August 2009 with her mother, Anne O’Brien, and her younger sister, Lauren, who found her body.
The family moved from Fanore in County Claire, Ireland, leaving behind their father, Jeremy, and three of Prince’s older siblings.
Shortly after moving to the area, Prince met Sean Mulveyhill – the football team captain who had previously dated Narey.
In November of that year, Mulveyhill, 17, and Narey got back together, leaving Phoebe on the wrong side of the popular crowd.
She was targeted by the couple, as well as her friends Flannery Mullins, 18, Ashley Longe, 17, Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 18, and Austin Renaud, 19.
Longe (pictured in 2010), now known as Ashley Koske, was again charged with molestation by prosecutors in 2017.
Her then-boyfriend Mulveyhill (pictured in 2010) has since been accused of raping a student at Mount Holyoke College, where he worked as a bartender, according to the Boston Globe
All of the teenagers agreed to a plea deal that prevented the case from going to criminal prosecution by admitting facts and dropping some more serious charges.
As an adult, Narey would have been charged with criminal harassment, violating civil rights with assault and disrupting a school assembly – which could have resulted in a prison sentence of up to a decade.
She had to admit in court that there was enough evidence for a criminal harassment conviction without pleading guilty.
In return, her criminal record would be free once parole is complete.
Court documents say Prince later had a close relationship with Renaud, who was dating Mullins at the time – which only made the bullying worse.
Authorities conducted a three-month investigation and found that Prince was referred to as “Sh***”, “Irish W****” and “F***ing Ho” by various members of the group.
Prosecutors said Mullins cornered Prince in restrooms, chased her through hallways and warned her to stay away from her boyfriend.
Prosecutors said Narey callously posted the word “done” on her Facebook page the day after Prince’s suicide, apparently hailing her death as an “achievement.”
Court documents say Prince later had a close relationship with Renaud (right), who was dating Mullins (left) at the time – which only made the bullying worse
She was heard saying, “That freshman Phoebe girl should have her ass kicked,” while Velazquez offered to punch her in the face, according to legal documents.
The day before her death, Prince texted a friend that school had been “nearly unbearable” and that Neary, Mulveyhill and Longe were all accused of tormenting her in the library on January 14.
Court documents say one of the group wrote “Irish b**** is ac***” next to her name on the library registration form, while Longe threw a monster energy drink at her out of a car window and walked after home.
Prince hanged himself using an orange scarf that was a Christmas present from her sister Lauren, who was 12 when she found the body.
Narey and Mulveyhill each admitted to criminal harassment in Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton and received a year’s probation and 100 hours of community service with at-risk youth.
Both were barred from profiting in any way from the Prince-related case.
Velazquez, Longe and Mullins were tried in juvenile court and each sentenced to a year’s probation and up to 100 hours of community service.
In return, other charges, including aggravated civil rights violations followed by assault and stalking, were dropped.
Shortly after moving to the area, Prince began a relationship with Sean Mulveyhill – the football team captain who had previously dated Narey
The day before her death, Prince texted a friend that school had been “nearly unbearable” and that Neary, Mulveyhill and Longe were all accused of tormenting her in the library on January 14
Court documents say one of the group wrote “Irish b**** is ac***” next to her name on the library registration sheet, while Longe threw her a monster energy drink out of a car window while walking home
Austin Renaud was charged with statutory rape in connection with that case in April 2010, but after the cases of the other five teenagers were resolved, Prince’s family moved to have the charges dismissed.
The principal at the time of the incident, Dan Smith, was retiring from South Hadley High School at the end of the year after having worked in the school system for more than 33 years.
The case shocked the nation and led to unprecedented changes in anti-bullying legislation in Massachusetts and later in other states.
Narey was described by one of her former teachers as one of the “most obnoxious bullies in the class” and someone who “had a reputation for being a mean girl in middle school.”
Prince’s mother described Narey as someone “incapable of showing compassion” and explained she “had the opportunity to put an end to Phoebe’s agony.” But her character was too weak to compete with Phoebe’s courage?
“Why didn’t Kayla find the courage and compassion to help Phoebe?” Kayla Narey is incapable of compassion.’
Prince’s family was awarded $225,000 for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination complaint it filed against the city of South Hadley and certain city officials
Authorities conducted a three-month investigation and found that Prince was referred to as “Sh***”, “Irish W****” and “F***ing Ho” by various members of the group
The then-teen broke down after admitting her part in Prince’s death, claiming that her boyfriend was her “priority” over “her core values.”
She admitted in court that she was “the weak one,” adding, “That behavior is something I will always accompany.” I’m sorry, Phoebe.
“I’m sorry for the unkind things I said.” I’m sorry for what I wrote on my Facebook page.
“I’m most sorry for January 14th, when I was laughing in the library and in the hallway when someone yelled humiliating things at you.” I feel terribly ashamed. My failures will always be with me.
“I’m terribly ashamed,” she continued. “I am sorry for having played a part in this tragedy and I am deeply sorry for what my behavior has inflicted on my family, my loving friends and the South Hadley community.”
Prince’s family was awarded $225,000 for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination complaint it filed against the city of South Hadley and certain city officials.
The parties agreed to settle the matter out of court, and as part of the agreement, the defendants, Principal Gus A. Sayer, South Hadley High School Principal Dan Smith, Deputy Principal William Evans, and the school system itself were indemnified from any future liability legal action in this matter.