Dylan took his own life days before Christmas. This is his family’s warning

WARNING: Distressing content

CJ Woods is on the hunt for vintage gaming consoles, trawling through Facebook Marketplace and online communities.

They are not for himself, but rather to honour his 20-year-old son, Dylan — who took his own life just before Christmas.

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“It was something we did together and now I will finish the collection off,” CJ tells 7Life, his weeks-old grief still utterly raw.

Instead of celebrating the 2023 festive season, the Victorian family was planning a funeral.

Now, to honour their son, they want to share a snippet of Dylan — or DJ, as he was affectionately known — in the hope they might prevent another family from having to bury their child.

“You always hear that there are warning signs, but there weren’t,” CJ Woods says.

“He was just this amazing, happy kid.”

Dylan’s little siblings, Amber, 14, and Ethan, 10, as well as his doting parents, CJ and Karma, agree on one thing.

DJ radiated life.

His infectious smile and personality captivated anyone who knew him.

“He was a metal head,” CJ says, adding the pair had similar tastes in music.

“I peaked at Metallica, but DJ — the heavier the better.”

DJ’s love of the genre had him reaching for a guitar at an early age, driven to perfect the deep notes echoed in his favourite songs.

Shortly after picking up the instrument, he out-mastered his music teacher.

“I remember sitting in on a lesson and the teacher played the song they were about to learn,” CJ explains.

“And DJ goes: ‘Like this?’ and nailed it.

“I quickly realised lessons were a waste of time.

“When he was determined to do something he would just become an expert at it.”

Completing thousand-piece Lego builds while watching a single movie was another of his talents, alongside finishing video games in the matter of days.

Recently, father and son had begun collecting vintage video game consoles.

The softer side of DJ came out around family. He would go to bed with his arms around their pet dog, Bailey, every night.

But as the proud father lists DJ’s many talents and personality quirks, he stops in his tracks.

“There was no sign. He was a fairly happy kid,” CJ says.

“I just think everyone should check in on their loved ones, no matter what.”

Living with autism, DJ regularly saw a psychologist, including a visit in the week before he took his life.

“They didn’t even notice any signs,” the dad says of the counselling professional.

Burying a child

Instead of celebrating Christmas, CJ and Karma spent the festive period selecting a casket for their son.

Tragically for the parents, DJ is their second child to have died.

Thirteen years ago, they lost son Jaydn to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at just three months old.

“Our two boys are buried about 15 feet from each other,” CJ says of their final resting place.

The unexpected death of their young adult son meant the family had to use its savings to afford to bury DJ, with the funeral expenses totalling $25,000.

The money was taken from funds that the Woods had been putting aside for three years, towards helping their daughter compete in an international cheerleading competition.

A close family friend, Jason, has now set up a fundraiser to help with the family’s expenses.

DJ’s death has left a huge hole in the heart of the Woods’ family.

As they begin to try to process the loss, CJ is determined to find the final two gaming consoles for his son’s collection.

But amid scouring the internet for the rare units, he wants everyone to know there aren’t always “signs”.

“Even if you think someone is okay, just check in on them,” he says.

“The help lines, information about suicide prevention, everything … it is so important.”

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.