The family of sons of anarchy star David Labrava is appealing for prayers after announcing their teen son has committed suicide. Tycho Spelis Chiusana was just 16-years-old when he took his own life May 5. Labrava, who plays “Happy” in the hit show, revealed the devastating news via Instagram yesterday.
“Never in a million tears would I think I would be posting this,” he wrote. “This is my boy Tycho. He took his life a couple of days ago at 16 years old. He suffered from a depression we couldn’t see because he was a happy young kid. Communicate with your loved ones, there might not be any signs. Cherish them I am broken.”
Alongside his emotional message, the heartbroken father shared several photos of he and his son.
A GoFundMe campaign page has been set up in memory of Tycho.
“On May 5th, 2018 Tycho Spelis Chiusano decided to end his life. He was 16 years old. He quietly suffered from depression for years and didn’t know how to ask for help,” the page reads. “An amazing and beautiful soul, Tycho was extremely intelligent, athletic, loyal, and a sensitive friend. He was full of life, constantly smiling, and had a knack for making others laugh. Tycho loved his family and friends. This is how we will forever remember him! Never FORGET: Always be kind and have compassion for others. Never spread rumors and learn to communicate with each other.”
good times pic.twitter.com/gjJLjCbTFZ
— David Labrava (@davidlabrava) May 10, 2018
The page then detailed exactly where the donated funds would be headed: to help those who are suffering from severe mental illness such as bipolar and depression:
“Tycho’s last wish was ‘give all of my money to a depression and bipolar organization’…so, that’s exactly where it’s going! Please join us in our fight to raise awareness of the signs of depression! We need to honor our friends because we never know what’s hiding behind someone’s smile. 100% of your donations will join Tycho’s and go to a depression and bipolar organization.”
https://twitter.com/davidlabrava/status/994375430093205504
Labrava is a motorcycle enthusiast and Harley Davidson mechanic who was initially hired as a technical advisor for “Sons Of Anarchy” before being cast for the show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bik42ptnG0V/?hl=en&taken-by=realdavidlabrava
“I never in a million years thought I would be writing this…it’s with the heaviest and saddest of hearts that I inform you all of the passing of my sweet, loving, kind, loyal, gorgeous nephew/godson Tycho,” Tycho’s aunt Catherine Spelis Francini posted to Facebook May 9.
Francini, who set up the GoFundMe page, talked about how her nephew’s deep depression was almost invisible to those closest to him.
“He suffered from depression. Not a depression that was obvious for anyone to see from the outside. On the outside he is an athletic, intelligent, busy 16-year old who loves his friends and family. He always has a beautiful smile on his face and a passion for making others laugh and just be happy. His was a depression that he kept hidden from those he loved. He didn’t want to make any of us sad. His was a depression that he didn’t share in his need for help…looking back now we see he put out the most subtle of signs…we just didn’t know what to look for,” she wrote.
Francini also pleaded with anyone who is suffering from a mental health issue to seek help immediately.
“Please, PLEASE, I’m begging all of you…if you ever go into a dark place, no matter how quickly the ground seems to fall out from under you and how deep the hole goes, PLEASE reach out for help,” he wrote.
“The young man he has become has made me the most proud aunt in the world,” Francini concluded. Our family is here now to fight for Tycho’s last wish to support depression and bipolar organizations.
Do pray for David and the family as they come to terms with this devastating loss. You can check donate to the GoFundMe campaign here.