The life of Tyler Porter, 20, was tragically cut short last year. Photo / Supplied
The life of Tyler Porter, 20, was tragically cut short last year. Photo / Supplied
A mother whose son died weeks before his 21st birthday has been left heartbroken after his memorial was mysteriously dismantled.
Tyler Porter, 20, died in July last year. His body was found at Whangaparāoa’s Arkles Bay 11 days after he disappeared.
A nearby tree has since become known tomany locals as “Tyler’s tree” and has become a memorial spot decorated with lights, sentimental toys, painted rocks and his mother’s “favourite” photo of him.
Over the weekend all the special items had been removed.
Police confirmed a report has been made today following a theft in Arkles Bay and said they would assess the report in due course.
His mother, Shara-Lee Porter, told the Herald she was pleading with the community for information after all of the items had been removed.
She said she didn’t want to blame anyone and said all she wanted was to have the precious items returned.
Porter said a local, who has a coffee by Tyler’s tree every day after they recently lost their mother, said they last saw the memorial in place on Sunday, just before lunchtime.
“My family’s gone on Monday to tidy it up, which we do every day and ... There is not a single item left,” Porter said.
She said she was left “shaking with hurt”.
Among the missing items was a sentimental plaque and his little toy trucks that his younger brother had placed.
Police confirmed a report has been made today following a theft in Arkles Bay and said they will assess the report in due course. Photo / Supplied
A tree had become known to many locals as “Tyler’s tree” and was a memorial spot decorated with lights, flowers, sentimental toys and photos. Photo / Supplied
Porter said even some Christmas lights earlier placed by a member of the community, so Tyler wouldn’t miss out on Christmas, were missing.
“The lights that were on the tree weren’t even taken out properly, they’ve been ripped out,” she said.
Porter said the incident felt very “deliberate”, and the community was left devastated because it was a meaningful site for many people facing loss.
“Had this person, whoever it may be, come and just talk to me and said, ‘hey, we’ve got concerns’, I would have come to a resolution ... But just to go and do this and take items that are very personal, it’s not okay,” she said.
The life of 20-year-old Tyler Porter was tragically cut short in July last year. Photo / Supplied
Porter said she was initially trying to find a rational explanation for what happened, such as someone removing the items to protect them duringCyclone Vaianu on the weekend.
“If someone had, why would they not reach out to me and say, ‘hey, I’ve removed the items, but I’ll put them back,’” she said.
Auckland Council’s area operations manager for Hibiscus, Bays and Upper Harbour, Sandra May, said she could confirm that no items have been removed by Auckland Council staff or contractors.
Lights and items at the tree that had become a memorial for Tyler Porter have now gone missing. Photo / Supplied
Porter said this incident highlighted how important the site was to the community, and she hoped whoever did this would get a guilty conscience and return the items.
“If you’ve seen anything, heard anything or have any information at all, please reach out, privately if you prefer,” she said.
Following her son’s “heartbreaking accident”, Porter started a Facebook blog called What Happens After to share her son’s story and show people the raw side of what happens when you lose a child.
In a tribute to her son last year, Porter said a part of her would be forever missing.
“Please know, my baby, I love you more than anything. I just wish I could have wrapped my arms around you one more time.
“Sweet dreams, my baby boy,” Porter said.
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