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View Full Version : My son lost another friend this week.



Azure
1-17-14, 4:15pm
In less than a year my youngest son has lost 2 friends. You may remember that last spring break his friend died of alcohol poisoning. Well, we are still not sure exactly what happened but the younger brother of Tyler's friend, Dan, went missing early Sunday morning. They found his body early Wednesday afternoon down by the river. He was at a fraternity party and then he was reportedly seen stumbling down the street at about 2 am. I'm not sure why he was stumbling as reports from the party were that he was not drinking heavily. The autopsy was supposed to be today so we are still waiting for results. I expect he died from exposure to the cold. But why did he end up down by the river without a coat, you know..

This kid was 18. A gifted athlete and student. His 2 older brothers also attend Alma College and the oldest was at the frat party with him. It's so sad. My heart breaks for his family. And it makes me worry more about my boys. All it takes is 1 stupid decision for things to go so wrong and no one is immune.

Tyler is having a hard time, for sure. But I have to say that I am so very proud of him. He went out with the search parties. He spent a lot of time with Dan during the wait for his brother to be found. And he has been helping him pack up Sean's dorm room. So many other's would have held back because they were too uncomfortable. Or not knowing what to say or do they become distant.

Tyler has a track meet this evening. He is so exhausted from grief and late nights dealing with this but he is going to run a 3k. We are going to go watch him run. I cannot wait to get my arms around him and give him a huge hug.

CathyA
1-17-14, 4:27pm
Oh gee Azure.......that is so tragic. You're right........one mistake is all it takes. We try to teach our kids over and over, but we can't be with them constantly to watch out for them.
Poor Tyler. All you can do is be there for him. Hopefully being so close to such tragedies will help him fight the temptations himself.

Sad Eyed Lady
1-17-14, 4:39pm
Sounds like your son is handling his grief in a very constructive way, being there and being a practical help for his friend. Sad event. I know it is a whole different era, but sometimes I think about times gone by and it seems like kids just got to be kids for so much longer.

razz
1-17-14, 6:32pm
What a sad situation to read about. When youth die unexpectedly at the brink of venturing out on their own, it is especially tragic for family and friends.

catherine
1-17-14, 6:56pm
Such a terrible tragedy. I'm so sorry for his family, and also for your son, Azure.

Lainey
1-17-14, 9:56pm
Such sad news, but sounds like he's being very mature about it. It's hard to learn these lessons of loss so early like that. I hope he'd even consider seeing a grief counselor if needed especially with 2 friends gone in less than a year.

Birdie
1-17-14, 9:59pm
How sad to lose 2 friends at such a young age. The young always think they are invincible so it much be a real blow to your son. He's fortunate to have a family there to support him.

new2oregon
1-17-14, 11:14pm
So sad to hear that. Its hard for your son to loose friends at that age and even harder for the family to loose a son. My wife had lost her son at 16 and had a hard time dealing with it. Your son and the family will need a lot of support from friends.

Gardenarian
1-18-14, 2:20pm
How horrible. Several of my friends died in drunk driving accidents when I was in high school - it seemed so impossible that they were really gone.
Your son sounds like a great kid.

RosieTR
1-18-14, 6:05pm
Such a terrible tragedy, Azure. It must be difficult for you as well, to watch your son go through this without being able to do much except be there to listen. Best wishes to both your family and the young man's.

ToomuchStuff
1-19-14, 12:48am
Sorry for the loss. The fact they are doing an autopsy, leads me to ask, if law enforcement is questioning this death? If so, why is anyone touching his dorm room? If alcohol played a part, the place that threw the party, the alcohol supplier, etc. could all be civilly and criminally liable (as well as anyone he left with).

JaneV2.0
1-19-14, 12:16pm
I knew a couple of people in college who went out drinking and were killed, hit by cars. Now so many of them seem to end up in or near rivers. It's a strange phenomenon.

Terry
1-19-14, 6:27pm
This is so very sad for the family and for your son. He is so young to have experienced losing 2 close friends. Take Care.

Azure
1-19-14, 7:08pm
Sorry for the loss. The fact they are doing an autopsy, leads me to ask, if law enforcement is questioning this death? If so, why is anyone touching his dorm room? If alcohol played a part, the place that threw the party, the alcohol supplier, etc. could all be civilly and criminally liable (as well as anyone he left with).

Foul play is not suspected. That's about all I can tell you right now.