A woman has shared her heartbreak after her fiancé was found dead after going missing at the age of 27.
Just days before his 28th birthday, Jack Taggart, tragically took his own life. His family said on the morning of his death he kissed his partner, Shannon, left for work and never returned home. Shannon filed a missing person's report and was told the devastating news that Jack had died after officers located his car in Cornwall.
His family said: "He has left an empty space in our hearts and lives that will never be filled." Speaking about what happened, Jack's family described Shannon's house as going 'from a loving home of three to a lonely one,' reports LeedsLive.
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They continued: "He left for work normally, kissed Shannon on the head and didn't come home. Shannon reported him missing when she noticed he wasn't back considerably later than usual, and they traced his car going down to Cornwall. The following morning the police came to Shannon to let her know that Jack had been found."
Jack, who lived in Nuneaton but was originally from Birmingham, had become an important part of the life of Shannon's eight-year-old step son. The family added: "Jack was loved by so many and has left an empty space in hearts and lives that will never be filled. Jack was a son, brother, father and immensely loved by everyone and that everyone is feeling a horrendous pain since his passing."
Best friend Simon Swinbourne shared a tribute on social media, and added: "Jack, my best friend. It's been just under 15 and a half years since September 2007, when we both sat next to each other in Year 8 French and now as I write this I think back on all the times we shared.
"The trip to Belgium where we played Enter Shikari on repeat on the coach for three days, drawing pentagrams on the walls of the music rooms in black tape, playing This Calling & Snuff a lot, and throwing sweets around our IT lessons.
"You were there when I needed you over the years. My only wish is that I could be there for you to return the favour when you needed it. If you asked me if I could go back and do it all over again, I'd already be sat at the back of that French classroom before you'd have chance to finish the question. To you Jack Taggart, my best friend."
Family friend Scarlett Miller added that as well as dealing with her tragic loss, Jack's partner Shannon also now faces losing her home. Scarlett said: "If this story couldn’t be any more heartbreaking, our lovely friend Shannon is now left with decisions and a situation that no one ever deserves. Due to archaic inheritance laws and policy systems that are long overdue a revision, Shannon is going to have to sell the home that her and Jack bought together.
"Jack was the main provider and because they were engaged and not married, Jack did not leave a will, so Shannon has no rights by law. She cannot claim on any form of insurance and isn't entitled to anything. She has been made to feel like a stranger to her own fiancé."
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to fundraise £10,000 to help save Shannon's home she shares with her step son. Family and close friends hope the fundraiser will help Shannon save her home, "build her life despite this devastating turn of events", and raise awareness of suicide.
Scarlett added: "We want to advocate that people speak out when they're in need, so that no one has to face the sheer amount of loss as Shannon is at the moment."
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