LOST WITHOUT YOU
Leah Croucher’s distraught family cancel Christmas as sadness ‘keeps coming with the force of a truck’
MISSING Leah Croucher's heartbroken family have cancelled Christmas after her brother killed himself last month.
Haydon Croucher, 24, had been "tortured" by not knowing what happened to 20-year-old Leah when she vanished in February this year in Milton Keynes.
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He was found hanged at his flat last month by his mum Tracey Furness - the day before the nine-month anniversary of her disappearance.
Their devastated family have now revealed they won't be celebrating Christmas this year because the "sadness keeps on coming with the force of a truck".
Older sister Jade, 26, said: "Leah I know in my heart that there is nothing in this world that would stop you from being at his funeral.
'WILL YOU EVER COME HOME?'
"What or who is stopping you from being here? Are you in heaven with Haydon? Are you looking after one another? Will you ever come home to us?
"The sad truth is - we just don’t know but the loss that I feel from you being missing for 10 months feels the same intensity as grieving, that’s for sure.”
Jade also told how she finds it "difficult" during the festive season when "everyone is surrounded by love" but she has lost her brother and sister.
Dad John Croucher described the pain as "unbearable" as he revealed his fears that "something terrible is stopping [Leah] being here with us".
And he described how the police went to his home on the day of Haydon's funeral with another "lead" regarding Leah's disappearance.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
He said: "Our horrible life does not pause because we lost our kind, wonderful son.
"The end result - nothing as usual. But there was time spent wondering if we would have two funerals this month to organise.
“At least they would be back together. Two children to say final goodbyes to.
"We started 2019 with a hopeful attitude that it would be another good year - family holidays to look forward to, favourite meals to cook, laughs and love to come.
"We're ending the year wondering what has happened to make everything fall apart in such spectacular fashion.”
Leah was last seen on February 15 in Milton Keynes as she walked to work in a finance firm.
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She told her family the day before she was meeting a friend but that never happened and cops are trying to piece together where she went between 6pm and 7.15pm instead.
CCTV showed her walking down Buzzacott Lane in Furzton, believed to be in the direction of her work, at about 8.15am the next day.
A huge search was launched with extensive social media appeals and posters pinned up in the area but there have been no confirmed sightings and no leads.
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Sister's tearful appeal to find missing Leah Croucher, 19, who vanished on way to work
If you are away from home or thinking of leaving, or if you have information about a missing person or a missing loved one, call Missing People's free and confidential 24/7 helpline on 116 000 or email [email protected]
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans (free) on 116123