Jayden Burleigh’s family given comfort knowing he’s with brother Lachlan again after spider bite death
THE BURLEIGH family, shattered by the death of their eldest son have found solace in knowing he’s now with his brother, who was killed in a car crash eight months ago.
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THE grieving Burleigh family said they’ve being given “brief moments of comfort” knowing their two beloved sons who died in tragic circumstances just eight months apart are now together in heaven.
Warriewood couple Deborah and Mike Burleigh have been left shattered after their eldest son, Jayden, 22, died on Saturday morning, two days after being discharged from hospital following treatment for a redback spider bite.
In August, their youngest son, Lachlan, 17, was killed in a horrific car crash alongside his two friends, in an accident which sent waves of grief across the northern beaches.
Mrs Burleigh, a nurse at Oxford Falls Grammar School, told the Manly Daily the shocking news hadn’t sunk in yet.
“It couldn’t be worse,” she said.
“I don’t think it has hit us yet. We haven’t even seen his body yet.”
Jayden, had carried his brother’s coffin at his funeral in September, and also arranged a paddle-out into the ocean to scatter his ashes.
Now the family will have to cope with laying their eldest son to rest.
Jayden had recently moved back to Mullumbimby, 20 minutes drive north of Byron Bay, to do a permaculture course.
He had been living on the northern beaches following the loss of his brother on August 30 last year.
Jayden was in hospital for four days last week and had surgery to drain an abscess under his arm after the redback spider bite, at Nambour Hospital, on the Sunshine Coast.
He was released on Thursday with antibiotics but died on Saturday.
The family will have to wait for a coroners’ report to find out why he died.
Jayden’s cousin, Kellie Turner, 23, from Forestville, said: “It was quite severe. His body didn’t cope well with it.”
“His body was weak, and he was still recovering from the operation,” she said.
“He was at a mate’s house. They tried to resuscitate him, and put him in the car to take him to hospital. He was pronounced dead at 3am on Saturday.”
His parents said: “His legacy will eternally live on as he continues his heavenly adventures together with Lachie.”
Ms Turner said thinking the two boys were now together was helping the family.
“It gives us all brief moments of comfort,” she said.
Nobody has been killed by a redback bite since 1955, and they’re usually only a risk to children or pregnant women. An antivenene exists.
Jayden had also just recovered from injuries sustained in a car accident a few weeks before.
Mr Burleigh, a handyman, also said his eldest son was “always adventurous, generous, creative and innovative,” and “left a residue of sunshine and the extraordinary wherever he went.”
As reported in the Manly Daily. in January, the family was dealt a fresh blow after Lachlan’s van was stolen and trashed. Lachlan spent years saving up working at a cinema to buy it, and after he died it was painted in tribute.
At the time, Mr Burleigh said the family was still struggling to cope with their loss. “Every day is a new cycle of grief,” he said.
Tragic crash
Ben Sawyer, 19, from Freshwater and Warriewood’s Luke Shanahan, 21, died alongside Lachlan Burleigh in the crash between Bilpin and Kurmond returning from a party in the Blue Mountains on August 30.
Last year, Jayden posted a tribute to his brother online: “Let your little light shine Lachie Burleigh I miss your physical presence like nothing else.
A fundraising page is on Gofundme
Tributes poured in online
“Rest In Peace Jayden Burleigh, you’re now with your amazing brother in heaven. You were such an amazing boy and supported me so much. Your kind heart and beautiful soul will never be forgotten.”
- Tay Breunis
“This beautiful brother Jayden Burleigh I will remember till the rest of my days and carry through the void and beyond, your joy happiness and love will always be engraved in the hearts of many.”
- Joshua Buchholz
“You’ll never be forgotten my beautiful, cheeky and crazy-smart botanist brother. My heart feels broken but I’m gonna hold all the pieces together and shoot all my love to your family and the ones closest to you.”
- Katina Katinka
“My heart is broken. Keep paradise warm for me bro, I know I will see you again someway.”
- Joey Atkins
“The world just got a little dimmer but I bet heaven is sparkling bright.”
- Soraya Blanch
“I can’t believe I’ll never see your beautiful face again. You are and always will be one of the best people I’ll ever know. Thank you for all the memories and laughs.”
- Tiarne Enwat Dee
“RIP Jayden Burleigh. Absolutely shattering news you have left this world to be reunited with Lachie. Have a beer with the boys up there for us.”
- Tim Stanton
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