Help My Nephew Find Peace After Tragic Loss

Our family is going through an incredibly painful time. My nephew Rocky recently lost his partner, Devon, to a sudden and tragic appendicitis rupture. This heartbreaking event has left us all in shock, especially my nephew, who is devastated by the loss of his partner and the isolating circumstances that followed.

Devon’s family, as next of kin, took control at the hospital and made the decision to remove him from life support in the ICU just hours after surgery. My nephew had no say in the matter. It felt rushed, and my nephew couldn’t even be given 24 hours to hope for a miracle. He tried to find closure by offering some of Devon’s personal belongings to his family, but he also set boundaries regarding who he wanted in his home. Unfortunately, he faced opposition and was told that if he insisted on these boundaries, he wouldn’t be allowed to attend the viewing. This painful experience left him feeling helpless in making a difficult decision. In the end, he chose to attend the viewing to say goodbye one last time, though reluctantly allowing unwelcome visitors into his home.

After the viewing, Devon’s family entered my nephew’s home and took as many of Devon’s belongings as they could. They even asked about small items with no regard for his emotions, stripping him of memories he was trying to hold onto. They then sent him a list of items they wanted in exchange for some of Devon’s ashes. When my nephew couldn’t provide these items, they denied him access to the ashes, excluded him from the obituary, and have since harassed him through texts over material possessions that can never replace the person he loved.

Now, my nephew is struggling both financially and emotionally. He can no longer stay in the apartment he shared with Devon and is seeking to return to his hometown of Portland to grieve in peace, surrounded by his siblings. We are raising funds to help him get back to Portland, where he can begin to heal and find comfort with his family during this incredibly difficult time.

If you’re able, please consider donating to help my nephew during this challenging period. We are raising funds to cover the cost of a U-Haul so that he, his dog Kayo, and his belongings can be transported back to Portland by 4/26/25. Additional funds will help pay off remaining debt for breaking the lease and outstanding utility bills. Moving to Portland was one of Devon’s dreams, and in many ways, this journey will fulfill what he was unable to finish.

Though he can’t bring Devon’s ashes with him, we know that Devon will be with my nephew and our family every step of the way. Portland is where Devon wanted to be, and in my nephew’s heart, it is where he truly belongs. Every donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and compassion. There are always two sides to every story. I’m not here to criticize how Devon’s family chose to handle things, but I want to share our perspective. This has been incredibly hard for everyone involved, but we will not overlook what has happened. Devon was part of our family and always will be.

Please note that this message is separate from Devon’s GoFundMe. This is specifically to support my nephew and his dog, Kayo, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Devon and to help them during this difficult time as they return home.