More than $41k raised for family grieving after Adelaide teenager William Pfeiffer, 14, died unexpectedly in his sleep

Tributes are being paid to a “happy and healthy” 14-year-old boy who went to sleep at his grandparents’ house on Saturday night – but never woke up.

William Pfeiffer unexpectedly died in his sleep on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The heartbroken mum of a teenage Adelaide boy who died suddenly in his sleep on the weekend has posted a touching tribute.

William Pfeiffer was a “happy and healthy” 14-year-old boy when he went to sleep at his grandparents’ house last Saturday night.

But the teenager from Queenstown didn’t wake up the next day. He died in his sleep.

William’s mum Karen Lynch and stepdad Mike Shaw are still coming to terms with the unexpected loss of their adored son.

The cause of the Gleeson College student’s death is still a mystery to his grief-stricken family and friends.

“A beautiful boy. The sweetest on the planet. He has left a gaping hole and we are in a million pieces,” Ms Lynch told 7News.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTES TO WILLIAM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

William Pfeiffer unexpectedly died in his sleep on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Long-term friend of Ms Lynch, Nicole Baans from Greenwith, said William had gone to bed “happy and healthy,” during a sleepover with his siblings at their grandparents’ house.

“I think they just realised that he was sleeping in bed and they checked on him and realised that something wasn’t right,” the 42-year-old said.

The family is now waiting for the official medical report to explain how their teenage son – who did not exhibit any concerning symptoms the night before he passed or have any underlying health conditions – could have died so suddenly.

“(The family) is devastated as you can image, it’s just traumatic and it’s just so unfair,” Ms Baans said.

“They’re just really emotional and struggling to get through it.

“It’s just affected everyone, and I’ve seen her house and it’s just full of flowers and full of food that people have been bringing.”

In a bid to provide much-needed support, Ms Baans launched a William Pfeiffer GoFundMe fundraiser to alleviate the financial burden for his family.

“No parent should ever have to endure the loss of a child,” Ms Baans wrote on the fundraiser.

“The grief alone is terrible but the added stress of financial strain just adds to the pain.”

As of Thursday morning, more than $41,600 of the now $50,000 goal had been raised.

Ms Baans hoped the financial support from the community would give his family time the necessary time to grieve, and help with “funeral expenses and/support services they may require.”

Ms Baans, who’s known Ms Lynch since high school, said William was “just like a sunshine”.

“He was such a happy kid whose smile just beamed and he has was a bit of a clown and a jokester, and he used to make everybody laugh” she said.

William Pfeiffer, who unexpectedly died in his sleep on Sunday, with his mother Karen Lynch on her wedding day with now-husband Mike Shaw in April 2023. Picture: Supplied

“He loved his loud, crazy socks. He’d wear bright socks all the time he was a bit of a funny little character.

“He had a heart of gold, so likeable and he was such a good kid as well. Like he would never do anything wrong. He was just so good.”

Ms Baans said William was a social kid who loved gaming and hoped to one day become a police officer.

Gleeson College principal Joe Corbo said the school had been in mourning since the death of the “joyful, gregarious young man”.

“On Monday I was surprised how quiet the schoolyard was with 860 students,” Mr Corbo said.

There was a “particularly sombre” mood among staff and students when students returned to school the day after William’s death.

The school has placed a photo of William on the altar at the on-site chapel and two days after the school community was told of his death, “18 students at lunch time were sat there reflecting,” Mr Corbo said.

William, who “was well-loved by staff and students alike”, played volleyball for the school and was a lover of books.

“Last week he was talking to the librarian about how he was looking forward to Book Week,” Mr Corbo said.

The school will honour William with “a couple of memorial services” for staff and students who cannot attend the funeral.

They will also have a “loud sock day” where students will attend with colourful socks on show.

“He collected all kinds of loud socks,” Mr Corbo said.

The school has made “extra counselling personnel” available for those affected by his death.

“We’ll certainly need it,” Mr Corbo said.

Mr Corbo said the school had showered the family, and “pillar of strength” brother Harrison, who is in year 11 at the school, with support.

“It’s been fabulous to see the community come together and wrap their arms around the family.”

Ms Baans explained that Ms Lynch, who’s a freelance photographer and wedding celebrant, has taken time off work to process her grief.

The 43-year-old was also completing a university course to become a grief counsellor.

“It’s just so unfair that now she’s going to first-hand understand what these people have been through,” Ms Baans said.