A 16-year-old boy, William Jones of Wellington, New Zealand, tragically passed away just days after exhibiting what seemed to be mild cold symptoms. Initially, William experienced a sore throat, which he and his family did not find particularly alarming. “You often think symptoms such as a sore throat and a cough are nothing to worry about, just a common cold as everyone says,” reflects the common misconception about such symptoms.
However, as his condition developed a persistent cough, his concerned mother, Rebecca Rollason, contacted a doctor. Initially advised to ensure her son drank plenty of fluids and to call back if his symptoms worsened, the situation took a devastating turn. By the next morning, William tragically did not survive through the night.
Rebecca found her son unresponsive in his bed when she checked on him the next morning. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, she expressed her profound shock and grief. “As you can imagine we just don’t understand and cannot believe he is gone,” she shared. “It feels like the worst nightmare that we cannot wake from.”
From the onset of his sore throat on June 11 to his untimely death on June 14, the rapid progression of events has left the family in disbelief. “We just don’t understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy,” Rebecca lamented. The family is currently awaiting results to understand the sudden tragedy.
The community is equally shaken by William’s sudden death, given his young age and vibrant health. “William was an amazing, talented and very bright kind boy who we love so very much,” his mother continued. He was recognized as a talented musician with a bright future ahead of him.
During this extremely challenging time, a close family friend has created a GiveALittle page to support Rebecca and her two remaining sons with the funeral costs and to help alleviate their financial burden. “I have set up this page to help Rebecca and her 2 remaining sons with funeral costs and to alleviate financial burden during this grieving period. It is every parent’s worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child from a suddenly brief illness,” states the fundraiser description.
Currently, an investigation into William’s sudden death is ongoing, leaving many awaiting answers to this heartbreaking incident.