My son, Alex Tanner Carter, was my first born and had one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever known. From a young age, Alex struggled with his mental health and spent much of his life in and out of therapy. As he grew older, he found comfort in video games and watching YouTube, often retreating to his room where he felt safest. He recently finished high school online and was searching for a job. I had high hopes that finding work and earning his own money would help him find new purpose and joy outside of his room and games.

But on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, our world changed forever. Alex took his own life after accessing a gun from a locked safe. The pain of losing my first born, the little boy who taught me what unconditional love truly means, is something I can hardly put into words. Our blended family is heartbroken and struggling to cope with this unimaginable loss. We are now faced with the overwhelming task of laying Alex to rest while trying to keep our family afloat on a single income with three children still at home.

Please keep our family in your prayers and thoughts during this incredibly hard time. Any help you can offer would mean so much to us as we try to honor Alex’s memory and care for our family. Your support will help cover funeral expenses and provide some relief as we navigate the difficult days ahead.