Gulf High Student's Family Needs Help With Funeral Costs

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Jacob Sayers was enjoying a family Memorial Day outing to Rogers Park in Hernando County when an afternoon at the beach took a tragic turn.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Sayers and a few others were playing ball along the water at Rogers Park. At some point, the ball got away from the group and landed in the water.

Sayers, 16, dove in after it.

He “swam for a bit, went under the water for a short time and then resurfaced onto a small sandbar and appeared to be catching his breath,” an email from the sheriff’s office said. “Sayers then reentered the water continuing his efforts to retrieve the ball.”

Sayers, however, didn’t re-emerge from the water that time, the sheriff’s office said.

The Gulf High School 10th-grader’s body was found a short while later by residents on Circle Drive. He had floated about 100 yards from the park. While those who pulled Sayers out of the water attempted CPR, the ROTC member and high school football player was pronounced dead at Oak Hill Hospital.

Sarah Mallett, Sayers’ mother, is now trying to come to grips with the loss while attempting to pay for a proper burial for her son. The single mother with three other children has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs. The campaign has a stated goal of $6,000. So far, just over $2,000 has been raised.

Mallett lives on a limited income, the campaign page says, and would appreciate any help her family can get in covering funeral expenses.

Jacob's loss is weighing heavily on family and friends.

“He had a whole life ahead of him and now it’s gone,” Mallett told ABC News.

In addition to football and ROTC, Sayers was also on Gulf’s wrestling team, ABC News reported.

To help with the funeral costs, visit GoFundMe online. Plans for the funeral have not yet been announced.

Image via Shutterstock

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