Gold Coaster boy Jett Somerhayes-Nixon, who died in sleep after epileptic seizure, loved by Southport Special School mates

The shock death of an 11yo Gold Coast boy has left his family devastated. READ WHY HE WAS SUCH A GIFT.

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THE tragic death of 11-year-old “Jetty Spaghetti” has left his family and friends “shocked and in disbelief”.

Young Jett Somerhayes-Nixon died in his sleep following a fatal seizure in the early hours of Monday.

His devastated mother Julia Somerhayes last cuddled her “baby” four days before he died. He was leaving to spend the weekend with dad Danny Nixon and his partner Maylee.

Jett Somerhayes-Nixon was loved and adored by all those who met him. He died tragically when he was just 11.

Jett, who lived with a rare but aggressive form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, had a small seizure before bedtime on Sunday but went to sleep after cuddles and kisses from his dad.

Sadly, Jett never woke up.

It’s believed he died from Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy, which occurs in about one in 4500 children, but the cause of which remains unknown.

Jett’s aunty Lucy Somerhayes said her nephew was an incredible soul, who was adored by all that had the pleasure of meeting him.

His death has crippled his family with grief because they were feeling confident his epilepsy was under control as he hadn’t had a major seizure in four months.

“Jetty Spaghetti” always made people smile.

Jett Somerhayes-Nixon with his dad Danny Nixon

Despite his complex health needs and autism diagnosis, Ms Somerhayes said Jett was the happiest, brightest soul who had just started reading independently, always hogged the TV remote control and was obsessed with music videos and YouTube.

“He has the biggest personality, absolutely crazy and would sing songs, dance and leap about the room. Jett was such an amazingly special boy,” she said.

“Jett was like a five-year-old in his mind, and my three-year-old and him were best friends, they’d play on the trampoline, swan in the pool and were just always laughing.

“He was just a little tripper and the stuff he’d come out with was so funny, inappropriate, but funny.”

Last year Jett had about 50 or 60 drop seizures a day and he was in and out of hospital with injuries. At school he had to be in a wheelchair with rugby-like headgear to protect him from serious injuries.

Jett Somerhayes-Nixon with dad Danny Nixon and his partner Maylee – the trio spent their weekends laughing and loving each other.

But nothing stopped Jett from smiling, laughing and making all those who met him take stock of what was important in life.

“He just took everything like a boss,” she said.

“Julia, a single mother, fought so hard for that boy, through autism and epilepsy, to keep him in regular school.

“A few years later he started at the Southport Special School and loved it so much he wore his uniform throughout the holidays. Julia’s going to bury him in it.

Ms Somerhayes said her nephew’s special need school mates were struggling to come to terms with the loss of their mate, with many not understanding where he was and why he wasn’t coming back to school.

Susan Christensen, principal of Jett’s school, said school community “is deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one of our students”.

“He always had a massive smile on his face, such a huge heart and sense of humour. He showed such courage whilst facing adversity due to chronic epilepsy. He was a friendly young person who will be greatly missed by his friends and teachers.

“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to the family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Ms Somerhayers said her nephew found joy and wonder in everything.

“The simplest things in life brought him so much joy and everyone he spoke to left feeling a little happier,” she said.

Julia Somerhayes with her beloved Jett Somerhayes-Nixon, who tragically died in his sleep at just 11 years of age.

“If only we could all see life the way he did, without prejudice or bias. He did not worry about what anybody thought of him and saw the good in everyone.”

Ms Somerhayes said Jett meant the world to his older sister Sienna, 13, who always stood up for him. This weekend her rugby league team will wear armbands in his honour and she plans to wear a New Zealand Warriors shirt to his funeral.

“Julia is beyond just devastated. He was her wing man, they were both as crazy as each other.”

She was camping in the Sunshine Coast and unreachable by phone on Monday morning so a friend drove three-and-a-half hours and then frantically searched a camp site to find her and break the devastating news of her son’s death.

Jett Somerhayes-Nixon had a zest for life that everyone who met him loved.

“She keeps seeing yellow butterflies flying around her and we keep thinking it’s him just checking up on us.

“As for Danny, well sweet Jett was his dad’s ‘little bro’ and Maylee has such a soft spot for him

“We’re all just in so much shock, it doesn’t seem real.”

A GoFundMe page, Jetty’s Send-Off Family Support, has been set up.

Family friend Kerry Fitzgibbon said Jetty touched so many hearts in his short life.

“We already miss you Jetty Spaghetti. May you continue to rave in paradise,” she said.

Jett Somerhayes-Nixon with his mum Julia Somerhayes.

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