No one knew that missing NSW teen Clancy Ellis was suffering.

“She suffered it all alone.”

Teenager Clancy Ellis was last seen leaving her school in Alstonville, just inland from Ballina on the far north coast of NSW, on Wednesday morning at 10:40am.

As friends, family and police attempt to piece together the moments before she left the security of her family home, they have been shocked to find that the 15-year-old had been the victim of merciless bullying online.

Clancy’s family have discovered that the teen was an avid user of the website Ask.fm – a website which encourages users to say what they truly think about a specific user – all anonymously.

Clancy’s mother, Michelle Ellis has told the Sydney Morning Herald, that reading through the online comments about Clancy made her feel physically ill.

“Anonymous people were saying awful things about Clancy, just gross,” she said.

“And they threatened, ‘We know where you are, we know where your school is, we’re going to set up a Facebook page about you.”

Clancy’s experience is shining a light on the secret pain that so many teens are hiding from their families.

Ms Ellis said, “Some of my friends said, ‘Just shut down the internet,’ but I had professionals telling me you really can’t take away Clancy’s only form of communication.

“We were scared that she would freak out. She would walk out of the house and keep walking, and basically do what she’s done.”

The risks associated with Ask.fm are well known to professionals. Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald, Cybersafety expert Susan Mclean said Ask.fm was a “hideous” platform without the safety features of Facebook and Twitter.”

“If you’re on Ask.fm, you can expect to be abused.”

The site has been linked to multiple suicides in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.

Before leaving, Clancy left her family and friends a small note, which said: ‘I know there’s no point telling you not to worry because I know you will, I know there’s no point telling you not to try and find me, because I know you will’.

Clancy’s mother is reading between the lines to understand her daughter’s decision to disappear.

“She thinks she just needs a couple of months,” her mother explains.

“She thinks this is less selfish than suicide.”

Police have asked anybody with information on Clancy’s disappearance to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you are or someone you know may be at risk of suicide or needs to speak to someone, please call Life Line on 13 11 14.

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