A Leeds family have been left in "horrendous pain" after the tragic death of their loved one at the age of 27.
Jack Taggert, who was "loved by so many", took his own life days before his 28th birthday in January. The family of Jack told Leeds Live that on the morning of his death, he kissed his fiancée Shannon, left for work, and never returned home.
After filing a missing person report, Shannon was told by police that they found his car in Cornwall but that he had tragically lost his life. "He has left an empty space in our hearts and lives that will never be filled," family added.
Read more: 'Stomach churning' moment burglars tried to rob Leeds house before 'screaming children' scared them
Speaking about what happened, Jack's family said: "Overnight, Shannon's house went from a loving home of three to a lonely one. He left for work normally, kissed Shannon on the head and didn't come home. Shannon reported him missing when she noticed he wasn't back considerably later than usual, and they traced his car going down to Cornwall. The following morning the police came to Shannon to let her know that Jack had been found."
Jack leaves behind his eight-year-old son. Family added: "Jack was loved by so many and has left an empty space in hearts and lives that will never be filled. Jack was a son, brother, father and immensely loved by everyone and that everyone is feeling a horrendous pain since his passing."
Best friend Simon Swinbourne shared a tribute on social media, and added: "Jack, my best friend. It's been just under 15 and a half years since September 2007, when we both sat next to each other in Year 8 French and now as I write this I think back on all the times we shared. The trip to Belgium where we played Enter Shikari on repeat on the coach for three days, drawing pentagrams on the walls of the music rooms in black tape, playing This Calling & Snuff a lot, and throwing sweets around our IT lessons.
"You were there when I needed you over the years. My only wish is that I could be there for you to return the favour when you needed it. If you asked me if I could go back and do it all over again, I'd already be sat at the back of that French classroom before you'd have chance to finish the question. To you Jack Taggart, my best friend."
Family friend Scarlett Miller added that as well as dealing with her tragic loss, Jack's partner Shannon also now faces losing her home. Scarlett said: "If this story couldn’t be any more heartbreaking, our lovely friend Shannon is now left with decisions and a situation that no one ever deserves. Due to archaic inheritance laws and policy systems that are long overdue a revision, Shannon is going to have to sell the home that her and Jack bought together.
"Jack was the main provider and because they were engaged and not married, Jack did not leave a will, so Shannon has no rights by law. She cannot claim on any form of insurance and isn't entitled to anything.
"She has been made to feel like a stranger to her own fiancé." A Go Fund Me page has been set up to fundraise £10,000 to help save Shannon's home she shares with her step son.
Family and close friends hope the fundraiser will help Shannon save her home, "build her life despite this devastating turn of events", and raise awareness of suicide. Scarlett added: "We want to advocate that people speak out when they're in need, so that no one has to face the sheer amount of loss as Shannon is at the moment."
To donate to the Go Fund Me page, click here.
Read next:
- Angry Leeds landlord booted from pub to move across the road to 'put spanner in works' of new owner's plans
- Leeds couple 'searching the city' just to find cheap fresh fruit and veg
- Rate My Takeaway's Danny Malin 'let down a bit' by popular Yorkshire pie shop
- Leeds man forced to 'eat bread and butter and cook once a week' as council flat electric is '£10 a day'
- New Greggs café set to open inside Leeds' Primark store
