Joe Bell, Father Of Dead Gay Teen, Killed During Tribute For Son

Jadin Bell, a sophomore student who was bullied for being gay, committed suicide in January of 2013. After Jadin’s death, his father Joe Bell set out on a cross-country journey to honor his gay son, and to keep his memory alive. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Bell family for a second time this year.

Joe Bell, the father of dead teen Jadin Bell, was struck and killed last night by a truck in Colorado. Officials are saying that Joe was halfway through with his walk for his son Jadin when a truck hit him.

The Baker City Herald is reporting that Joe Bell died after he was struck by a tractor-trailer rig on Highway 40, which is just 20 miles north-west of Kit Carson, Colorado.

Joe’s son Jadin hung himself on a La Grande playground after being bullied for being open and honest with his sexuality. Joe’s death has also been posted on Jadin’s official memorial Facebook page, which is listed as Joe’s Walk For Change.

On Thursday morning, news of Joe’s death hit the internet after an official post on Jadin’s memorial page was posted. The post said:

“He will continue his journey now with Jadin. Please keep his family in your prayers and thoughts.”

In April, OPB ran a story on Joe’s loss of Jadin, and his will to keep his son’s memory alive. According to the site, Joe said that the idea of the walk came to him, and he knew the walk itself had to be big enough to honor his late son, while bringing attention to the bullying going on in school. In order to do that, Joe Bell quit his job and began his journey.

Joe Bell intended his Walk For Change to last for two years across the United States in an attempt to promote anti-bullying programs.

Of the walk, Joe had told the La Grand Observer:

“I can only put it in God’s hands.”