“You’re Dancing in the Sky.”

A mother spoke to her son, a teenager, while they were at a funfair. She recalled how he seemed happy. A few hours later, her worst nightmare came true when she received an unexpected phone call.

Jack Woodley was raised in Newton Aycliffe and Durham, England. He had two younger brothers, Jayden, and Jenson. After leaving the family home, Woodley moved to the Felling area in Gateshead.

However, in October 2021, he told his mother that he needed to leave his home after a burglary. Woodley had apparently received a job offer by Amazon in Gateshead. He wanted to live in a home with his girlfriend.

Unusual Occurrence

Woodley was informed by social services, however, that he would need to wait for a place, according to Zoey McGill (his mom).

Mark McKone, QC, the prosecutor, interrogated the youth about Woodley’s attack and found some shocking details.

The youngster was scheduled to move into a YMCA Sunderland hostel, but something terrible happened. On the night, October 15, 2021Woodley, then 18 years old, was visiting his family in Whitley Bay for their annual holiday.

The Last Conversation

McGill shared that her son had told her he was going to hostel after spending the evening at the Houghton Feast Fair with his girlfriend. She shared that Woodley was at the funfair with her and sent her videos of him enjoying the rides. McGill recounted:

“I have rang him at half eight and he was happy (sic).”

But on the night of Saturday, October 16, the County Durham mother’s world came crashing down when she received a piece of spine-chilling news — Her son, her love, was seriously injured. She claimed that her girlfriend called to share the devastating news.

An Agonizing Image

Soon afterward McGill and Chris, her husband, drove to the hospital to pick up their son. The mother, who was brokenhearted, recalled being told to wait outside while Woodley fought for her life.

McGill was shocked to see her son when McGill finally met him. “We went through and saw him, but it wasn’t Jack. That image will stay with us forever,”she recounted.

Three-year-old mother said her son enjoyed the bright lights and funfair atmosphere. However, it was difficult to see him at the edge of death and life. McGill was devastated by this painful image You can turn your heart and soul into a million pieces.

The Hardest Goodbye

The most urgent question was: Why was Woodley attackedIt was the 18-year-old man who took his girlfriend to the bus station after the Houghton fair had ended.

A gang of teenage boys attacked him during an altercation. The teenager was discovered with a stabbing wound near the Britannia Inn in Newbottle Street Houghton-le-Spring. He was immediately taken to the hospital.

The young man died after the medics tried their best to save him. Sadly, Woodley SuccumbedHe was buried in his grave on October 17, 2018. He left his family in chaos.

McGill, devastated, snapped a heartbreaking picture of her son as he took his last breaths. She expressed:

“I left myself at that bedside, and I’ll have this for the rest of my life.”

Living with the pain

Woodley’s death devastated his family and friends, particularly his mother who was afflicted by a wave of heartbreaking pain and trauma. McGill posted a Facebook message on October 23, 2021. wrote:

“I wish there was an easier way out to be with you Jack .. I will live my entire life with this pain. My strength is slipping away slowly without my kids I am nothing. You were the reason I chose to live life to the full (sic).”

McGill also posted another Facebook post on October 26th. stated, “Every morning I wake up I scream all over again …. My heart forever feels like it is bleeding, souls will never rest knowing what they did to you (sic).”

The Trial

All gang members aged between 14 and 17 were convicted of murder during the Newcastle Crown Court trial in 2022. Mark McKone QC, the prosecutor, asked Woodley’s children why they attacked him and found some shocking details.

The 16-year-old suspect was allegedly attacked Confessed Although he could probably recall the reason, he wasn’t able to fully recall it. Woodley was the reason he attacked him. McKone says that almost all of the teens involved in the incident did the same when they were asked for more information.

Woodley attended the Houghton Feast to spend time with his friends. The youth group was not expecting him to show any interest.

The trial lasted weeks, and the prosecutors determined that trouble had followed for the young man. He was challenged by a stranger to a fight.

The prosecution claims that although he fled, the group targeted him later because they wanted to cause harm. Northumbria Police reported that the teens were charged with murder. And jailedThey have been there for 124 years.

A heartbreaking video

A year and a half after her tragic son’s death, McGill posted a heartbreaking video in October 2022. She was seen singing Woodley a beautiful song.

The mother was seen in the footage. SingingAlong with the powerful lyrics of “Dancing in the Sky”By Dani and Lizzy

“I hope you’re dancing in the sky. And I hope you’re singing in the angel’s choir. And I hope the angels know what they have.”

Zoey McGill sings a tribute song to her son, in his final moments. | Source: Facebook.com/thenorthernecho

Bidding Farewell

Woodley’s distraught mom released this clip to commemorate the first death anniversary. Sensitize the public about the terrible consequences of knife crime.McGill, her beloved son, was her last moment with her. recollected:

“It didn’t feel real. Unable to cry, hugging my son. Watching him go, the color draining from him as he lay dying.”

A Parent’s Nightmare

McGill was grieving as the Houghton Feastfair returned to the region on Oct 7, and she expressed her grief by saying that she missed her boy and was struggling to accept his absence. She shared:

“It feels like it happened last night. Every day, every single day I wake up and it is like being in a nightmare.”

McGill stated She visits Woodley’s grave in West Cemetery, Newton Aycliffe every evening. She was unable to let go the wonderful memories and the special connection she had with her sweet boy.

Vigil

Jayden Woodley, Woodley’s younger brother, started a crowdfunding page to fund a memorial stone custom made for him. He SubmittedGoFundMe account

“Things have been a real struggle for me and my family since losing Jack. I wanted to do something to help my family pay for a memorial stone dedicated to Jack and his love of Tyson Fury.”

Woodley’s family was a VigilFor himAt the spot where he was murdered on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Friends and family remembered him and left flowers and condolences in his memory.

Our deepest condolences are extended to the family.To the family of the deceased teenager as they grieve the loss. God bless Woodley’s family and help heal his mother’s heartbreak.