Yahoo News 'There was always something special about Evan': Loved ones of teen who died after being found by A19 tell of their pain
This is the moment a heartbroken mum said her final goodbyes to her "perfect" son.
Evan Hansen died in hospital three days after he was found seriously injured on a path close to the A19 in South Tyneside, hours after disappearing from his home in the middle of the night. Detectives are investigating the 17-year-old's death, which they are treating as "unexplained" by police.
But Evan's heartbroken family have told the Chronicle that they believe he chose to end his own life, and tragically did so by causing an injury to his neck. And today Evan's mum, Kirsty, and sister, Shannon, have paid tribute to him as they lift the lid on their pain.
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Kirsty, 45, said: "He was perfect. I'm heartbroken and I'm so sad he's done it, but that was his choice. I'm proud of him."
And Shannon, 27, added: "It doesn't feel real to any of us. We have always said Evan was special. There's always just been something about Evan for all of us. It's as if we knew we were on borrowed time."
Evan lived in Jarrow with Kirsty and his four siblings, Shannon, Brittany, 26, Zac, eight and six-year-old Alara. After finishing his education at Jarrow School he became an apprentice plater at Hebburn-based A&P Tyne. And Shannon said her ambitious brother dreamed of running his own business one day.
When Evan wasn't working or helping take care of his younger brothers and sisters he was playing sport or running.
Kirsty said: "He helped me a lot with his little brothers and sisters," she said. "He loved boxing and running and football. He was going to do the Great North Run."
Shannon and Kirsty said Evan was a happy lad but would sometimes suffer from episodes where he would get down, especially when he was under stress. But in the days and weeks before he died his loved ones saw no signs that anything was wrong.
Kirsty explained: "He was really, really happy and wasn't a depressed person. He had been alright for ages. I really, really did not see this coming. The night before he was really happy, he had just got a car from his uncle. He was taking photos in the car, he was so happy."
Kirsty said Evan had gone to bed early on May 14, the night before he was found injured. But he left the house in the middle of the night without warning.
"He went to bed as normal then I never seen him again," said Kirsty. "We know he ran out the house in the middle of the night with no socks on and no phone. He must have been running up that path where he was found."
When Kirsty woke up at 3am and realised Evan was gone she reported him missing to police and members of his family went out to look for him. At around 6am a dog walker came across Evan, who was lying in the grass on the cycle track, that runs close to Salcombe Avenue in Jarrow, near the entrance to the Tyne Tunnel.
Police were with Evan's family when officers received a call to say he had been found. So Shannon and Brittany followed officers to the spot where their brother was.
"It was awful, but at that time it was relief as we had found him and he was breathing," said Shannon.
Evan was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he underwent two operations as medics battled to save him. And at first his family were hopeful that he would pull through.
Kirsty said: "He was breathing on his own that night and we thought he was going to be alright."
But the family were later told that Evan's condition had deteriorated and on Saturday May 18 he died with Kirsty by his side. "I was with him when they turned the machines off," said Kirsty.
Detectives have appealed for anyone with any information about Evan's death to come forward. But Kirsty and Shannon do not believe anyone else was involved.
Kirsty said the family believe Evan fatally injured himself. And the family are now hoping police investigations can be concluded as soon as possible so Evan can be laid to rest.
Det Insp Neal Craig, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is devastating news and we continue to offer our support to Evan’s loved ones at this tragic time. A number of enquiries are under way to ascertain exactly how Evan has sustained his injuries, and how he ended up on the cycle track. I’d like to thank those who have come forward with information to date – however, we know this is a busy area with many passing motorists and residents, including dog walkers.
“Please get in touch if you think you can assist our enquiries – even the smallest detail might help us to get answers for Evan’s family.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log number: NP-20240515-0129.
