‘He never got a chance to become a man’: Mum finds son dead in his room

An SA mum has had to endure what no mum should, finding her son unresponsive in his room one random devastating morning.

Bhoe Gertners was 26 when he died suddenly in his home on May 29 with his sisters (right) and his mum (wedding dress). Picture: Supplied by family

On May 29 Bree Gertners went into her son’s room to check if he was okay after she didn’t hear him get up for his usual 5.30am trip to the deli.

She expected to find 26-year-old Bhoe Gertners’ sleeping in, but instead Ms Gertners found her only son dead.

“Bhoe was a simple young man, which sounds so weird … because he never got the chance to become a man,” Bhoe’s cousin Stephanie Wise told The Advertiser.

The cause of death is still unknown and devastatingly the Osborne family are still waiting for answers.

Bhoe Gertners with his dad Greg and baby Jayda. Picture: Supplied by family

Bhoe did suffer from epilepsy and Ms Wise said his condition had progressively worsened as he grew older.

“The family suspect a tonic-clonic seizure may have had something to do with his death,” she said.

“Until the autopsy though they just wait.”

Bhoe was a Geelong football fan and adored his family more than anything. Picture: Supplied by family

Bhoe with his dog Pugsley who died shortly after Bhoe did. Picture: Supplied by family

The 26-year-old loved his family, was a Geelong football fan, chicken wings, XBOX and his beloved dog Pugsley – who passed away not long after Bhoe.

“He always fought for what he believed in no matter what anyone said,” Ms Wise said.

“Bhoe loved his family and he adored his two nieces, Jayda and Maddy, and his nephew, Logan – he would tell anyone who would listen about how amazing they were.

“Bhoe’s hugs and bellowing laugh was so cherished it made you forget about all the trivial problems in your life.

“Bhoe was one of those special people you wouldn’t forget even if you met him once for five minutes.

“He was so special and we all could learn something from him.”

Bhoe with his family: top left, Cameron, Bhoe, middle, Jessica, Bree, Jayda, Cynthia, Bob, Misty, Jayden, front, Madalyn, Logan, Lincoln, Stephanie. Picture: Supplied by family

Bhoe was the youngest of three, he has two sisters Misty and Jess and he lived with his mum and her partner Dave.

He was born on July 14, 1997. He died on May 29, 2024. He was 26.

He is survived by his mum Bree Gertners, his dad Greg Wilton, his sisters Misty Gleeson and Jessica Gertners, his uncle Health Gertners, brother-in-law Jayden Gleeson, his nieces Madalyn Gleeson and Jayda Gleeson, nephew Logan Smith, close family Jake Stone (Bob) Cynthia, Dave Randall, Stephanie Wise, Cameron Smith and best friend Shane Maiorano.

If you’d like to donate to Bhoe’s funeral expenses, you can here.