'Happy' teenager committed suicide after being 'prevented from seeing his baby'

A “happy” and “caring” teenage father took his own life after his family said he was “stopped” from seeing his baby. Blake Sayers, 19, was found dead in a country park after going to walk his dog. His girlfriend, Kira Halas, and others went looking for him after they were unable to reach him on his cell phone.

An investigation found Blake had no history of mental health problems, but struggled with not being a part of his son's life. He was also said to have been depressed by the deaths of his grandmother and uncle.

Those close to him told the inquest that Blake wanted nothing more than to be the best father to his son after he became a father in 2022. However, they claim the child's mother 'restricted' his right visit.

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Blake, from Chesterton, Staffordshire, was discovered at Apedale Country Park, Staffordshire.

In a statement to StokeonTrent Live, Blake's mother, Kausar Shupherd, said: “Blake was the most caring person I knew. He had time for his family and friends and loved us all very much. What he wanted was to be the father of his son, but unfortunately his child's mother wouldn't let him see her son, even though I did. [my grandson]I still wasn't allowed to let Blake see him.

“Blake was happy, playful, loud and joyful. He was always smiling. His relationship with Kira was good, healthy and happy. He always paid for his life, he was a responsible parent and he loved his son.

“There was a disagreement with his son's mother on March 7 that upset him. He looked tired on March 8 and I asked him if he was okay and he said he was tired , but he was clearly sad and depressed by the tone of his voice I don't think he intended to end his life, I think it was a cry for help.

The inquest at Stafford Coroner's Court heard that Blake, who also attended JCB Academy, was found near the junction of Apedale Road and Rowhurst Close at around 3pm on March 8.

Blake's girlfriend Kira added: “I've known Blake since primary school, we were friends and we started a relationship in 2022. He wanted to spend time with his son and it was affecting his mental health. In the All in all, he was just trying to be a part of his son's life. All he wanted was to be a dad, he loved his son very much.

“On March 7, after his interview with [his son’s mum] he came to my mother's house and burst into tears when he saw me. I tried to show him pictures of us on vacation and I tried to put on a movie but he wouldn't do anything.

“The next day he said he was going to walk his dog, I said I would go with him but he said 'No, I'm just walking the dog', so I held his hand and I I walked with him to his mother's house. He didn't look like himself.

“When I tried to call him, I went to voicemail, but I knew it was completely charged. We drove to Apedale and shouted Blake and the dog's name before we found him.”

The investigation revealed that Blake had sent a text message to a friend to wish him a “happy birthday” at 12:45 p.m. and by 12:46 p.m. his phone had been turned off. Blake's father, Steve Sayers, told the court his son was familiar with Apedale Country Park and often went there to walk his dog and cycle.

Senior coroner Andrew Barkley concluded Blake's death was a suicide. He said: “There is nothing in her medical history to suggest depression, anxiety, self-harm or an intention to commit suicide. Many factors led him to feel this way, including not seeing his son, the loss of his uncle who he was very close to, and the loss of his grandmother, and these factors likely played a role in his decision to commit suicide.

“He was upset and acted out of character when he was with his partner. On the balance of probabilities, he intended to kill himself. You can't read someone else's mind. I am convinced that, in these profoundly sad circumstances, the conclusion is that of suicide.