Have you ever been really affected by the death of a stranger?

[Hightideattheseaside]

A person I follow on Instagram very sadly lost their 3 year old son a couple of days ago and it’s really affected me. I keep thinking about the pain this poor person must be in and imagining myself in their shoes. Perhaps it’s because I also have a three year old son or perhaps it’s an inevitable consequence of following people who share so much of their lives for a long time. I have never met or spoken to this person, only see a post or story from them a few times a week for a couple of years. And, yet, I keep crying throughout the day at the thought of that darling boy and his poor mother left behind. I feel real pain for this person. It’s shocked me to be honest.

Any one else felt very affected by the death of stranger? Is this to be expected when we follow people on social media or have I lost it a bit?

No, I haven't.
But I imagine that because you've watched this person for years, it feels like you 'know' them. It's not wrong to be upset for someone. A child's death is a tragedy.

Jaxon's death is heartbreaking. It would be hard for anyone not to be emotional about it

I think we follow the same person and yes, I can't stop thinking about her and what she's going through. I even shed a few tears last night and lit a candle in the church for him whilst on holiday in Cornwall a few days ago. It has affected me, I think it's because I felt like I almost 'knew' as I'd followed her from not long after he was born. She also lives just down the road from me. It's the first time that I've really been affected by the death of a stranger though.

I know who you're talking about, I also found it very sad that the poor little boy has lost his life. I think it's because the amount that person shows on Instagram, you felt like you knew them.

I've been thinking about her a lot too. Also about another lady in my local area who lost a child. They might be strangers to us but I think it's normal to empathise.

I can't stop thinking of her either. He was a vibrant little soul and her love for him was beautiful to see

Azaylia Cain

Libby Squire

Keeley Bunker

Sarah Everard

I unfortunately witnessed the final seconds of someone jumping In front of a train.

I didn't see his body fully because as soon as I saw his shoes and feet I knew what had happened and turned away.

That was over a year ago and I still see that image and think of how desperate that poor man was to do that.

It sends me cold regularly

A 16 year old in my sons school year died in tragic circumstances whilst on holiday. I couldn’t get that out of my mind putting myself in their position.

Chester Bennington. I still get really sad every time I think about it.

I always feel really upset for ages reading about the deaths of children. A colleagues sil died in horrific circumstances a couple of weeks ago. She got a text telling her and in shock she shouted out what had happened and ran out of work. It sent chills through my body and the rest of us were just in shock for the rest of the shift. I didn't even know the woman who died but I couldn't stop thinking about her and her family for days .

She put her heart and soul into that little boy and it makes me angry that she had to constantly fight throughout his short life for him to get the care that he deserved. Rest in peace little one, you were so loved.

I find it practically impossible to forget some cases reported in the news where a child or yp has died tragically. It can be a case from years ago. I wish I could forget, basically.

Yes, well they were a patient (im a nurse) I never spoke to them or saw them awake but it was a very traumatic and unexpected death for the family, very sad shift. They were only a teenager

Every time I hear of the death of a child. A few mumsnetters who have had kids die. GoJetterGirl's little boy and little Wyatt Rose too. I find myself thinking of them with sadness often.

Lee Rigby
My husband used to be based at Woolwich Barracks and the horrific murder left me feeling sick for days

Oh @wtfisgoingonhere21 I’m so sorry you were witness to such a terrible tragedy. Of course you are still affected by it

But your experience just seems to highlight why I’m questioning my reaction. I have no personal involvement at all.

I’m very empathetic and get emotional easily. I have shed tears many times over people in the news or social media, including Sarah Everard, Azaylia Cain and the children that have died in the conflict between Israel and Palestine to name a few. But this death seems to be on another level. And while a tragedy like that is of course very moving I’ve not had something stick with me so much.

I guess it’s like some have said, when you see so much of a life it’s hard not to feel like you know them and become invested. Which is obviously different when you see the things in the news as there isn’t that insight.

I have been in hospital unexpectedly for the last week. A lady in the next bed died. I am so sad for her and her family. I'm not quite sure how to get my head around it.

Thanks for all the replies and sorry for such a sad thread.

Yes, a man who was friends with many of my acquaintances killed himself recently. The circumstances strongly reminded me of the death of my own friend ten years ago

It affected me so much I came off of social media until a few days ago. It was bringing up everything i'd felt all those years ago. I think it shows you are empathetic and sensitive to others OP

I’m so sorry you’re in hospital @Ineverpromisedyouarosegarden and had to go through that. It must be so much worse to see that raw grief, as well as being a scary time for yourself. I hope you can go home soon

Not quite the same but I watched the series on Netflix about Chris Watts. I couldnt get his wife and daughter off my mind for a week after watching it.

I've also know of people through work who have died. Some in sad circumstances that has bothered me.

My oldest son was the exact same age as Alan Kurdi, the little Syrian boy who drowned and was photographed on the beach. I also had a newborn when the tragedy happened. The combination of his age, my son's age and my hormones have left it almost burned into my brain, to the extent that whenever we go to the beach and my children play in the sea I can see him on the beach in my mind's eye. It's awful and so sad and it has really affected me, even now 6 years later.
I also follow a lady on Instagram whose 3 year old child completely unexpectedly died in a choking incident and I felt genuinely emotional and sad for several days, I think of that little boy often.
I think we feel like we get so much insight into these people's day to day life (whether it's accurate or not) that it can feel like losing a friend, or at least sharing in grief.

Most recently the tragedy of that lovely kid in Blackpool who was struck by lightning really affected me. So random. His poor parents.

Your replies to everyone are very kind and sympathetic so I wonder if you are just the kind of person who is very empathetic and so might feel it a bit more, maybe? I have definitely felt sad about the death of children I don't know, and I think with our engagement in social
media we do feel we 'know' people so it seems likely you might feel affected.