A mother whose son texted 'love you brother' to a friend moments before taking his own life has shared a powerful message at his inquest.
Jakub Halani, 19, died after being struck by a train at Eccles station, Greater Manchester, on February 2.
An inquest at Bolton Coroners Court on Monday, July 3, ruled the death as a suicide. Coroner Stephen Teasdale told how Jakub ordered a taxi to the station before CCTV showed the tragic teen's last moments.
Mum Kataryzna Halani described her son as 'amazing' and 'talented', telling the hearing that he had 'great friends' and a 'very successful' career in music production. Manchester Evening News reports that she is now hoping to encourage other young men to open up about their feelings.
Katarzyna said: "He was a very private person, but also sometimes he would come and sit on the sofa and talk to me for two hours. He was very successful, and he had a great group of friends. He was very close to his sister."
The inquest was told that Jakub was known to work on his music which he created under the name 'Prod by Jak' during the night and slept during the day. However, friend Jacob Bailey told the court this was 'normal' for Jakub, and he never expressed any concerns about low mood or suicidal ideation.
On the night of his death, the court heard that he told mum Kataryzna that he had been 'up all night making beats'. He was then picked up by a Bolt taxi and arrived at Eccles station at 22:37.
Jakub sent a Snapchat to Mr Bailey at 22:40 which said 'love you brother', alongside a number of images of the pair. Mr Bailey told the court that the message had been 'unusual' but he was not immediately concerned by it.
Giving evidence, British Transport Police officer Leanne Callan said that CCTV footage showing the teen on his phone was 'consistent' with the 'love you brother' text Mr Bailey received.
Jakub, of Cook Place, Salford, was pronounced dead at the scene with a later toxicology report stating there were no signs of drugs or alcohol in his system.
The inquest heard that when Jakub's house was searched by investigating officers, two notes written on the back of a letter dated December 18, 2022 were found screwed up at the back of his bedside drawer. One was headlined 'why', and detailed his feelings of low mood and anxiety.
Jakub has previously been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in 2018 after trying to self harm with a pencil and stating their life was not worth living. He had not had involvement in mental health services since 2019 when he was discharged from CAMHS after stating he was 'not ready' to engage properly in Cognitive Behavoural Therapy.
Kataryzna said: "I didn't think it was a sign of anything. I thought he was struggling to express his emotions and I encouraged him to talk to me. Nothing was taboo in our house."
She added that Jakub's death was a 'complete shock' and she had 'no idea' Jakub was struggling with his mood. "If there is one message to come out of this, I want it to be please, please talk." Following the conclusion to the inquest, Jakub's mum released a touching statement paying tribute to him. It read: "I’m sitting here with my son.
"Son, who is not in his physical world now but is present forever in spirit. He was such a lovely boy. He was always conscious of other people’s needs and feelings, protective towards his sister and mum and dedicated to his love of music.
"We are struggling to accept that he chose this action, however we will always continue to find solace in his music and tunes and the memories left behind along with kindness and love he spread.
"He was someone who took pride in having loyal friends and being loyal to them himself. Someone, who took pride in the way he presented himself. He often felt that he had the ability to sense others and their intentions.
"He wouldn’t fake anything. He wouldn’t invest himself in any relationship that didn’t feel right. He was a lad’s lad. He stood by his word. He didn’t like to be the centre of attention; he was extremely humble and polite.
"To ask for help, I feel, was a weakness in his view, while to offer help and being helpful was always his strength. He loved to laugh and have a good time.
"He treasured memories with people he respected. He didn’t have to see someone or meet them in person to collaborate with them and treat them the way they deserve to be treated.
"I would say he didn’t play any games. He made it clear that his family was the most important thing in his life. He had a view that people should be true to themselves and be happy.
"They should be free and express themselves the way the want to. Colour, race, nationality didn’t matter to my son.
"He accepted and loved anybody who was true to themselves and didn’t follow others. He respected you if you had your own opinion.
"He was a true friend to many. Many lives were deeply affected by Jakub’s transition. Nobody knew what was coming and why this has happened. He respected adults, who took time on seeing a mature human in him, not just a teenager who doesn’t know anything.
"He was inspired by a few people, for example, his English teacher from high school Mr Muneer, his football family Tracey and Jim Keelan from Deans Youth and Ladies Football Club and his music manager Ray. I feel so privileged to have been Jakub’s mum for 19 years he gave me, to stand by his side. He was the best son any parent would wish to have and an exceptional brother to his younger sister.
"Like he stated himself many times “nobody, nobody will get away with hurting my little sister”! As shocking as it was to find him missing and leaving the house quietly and the traumatically finding what had happened, we are proud of PRODBYJAK, the talented musician from Salford, Manchester.
"He is and will always be part of us that is unique, and we love him with all our being. Here is to JAKSWORLD!!!"
In a bid to preserve Jakub's musical legacy, his family hope people will continue to watch his YouTube channel here and visit this website.
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