The wife of Jaryd Dawson has opened up about her grief over his tragic death in an agonisingly emotional post featuring the last photo she took of him and their baby son.
Jessica Carter Dawson made the heart-rending statement after Jaryd – who is the brother of AFL star Jordan – was found by emergency services near his home town of Robe, 300km south of Adelaide on Wednesday afternoon.
He was the subject of a desperate search and pleas for help from his family after going missing at around 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Jessica posted a photo of Jaryd holding their son Hudson, who was born last September, on Thursday morning.
‘The last photo I took of my boys, just two days prior,’ she wrote.
‘I was feeling so incredibly rich in life.
Pictured: The last photo Jaryd Dawson’s wife Jessica took of him and their baby son Hudson. She posted it to social media on Thursday morning along with a heartbreaking message
Jessica Carter Dawson told her followers the pic was taken just two days before her husband was found by emergency services about 300km south of Adelaide
Jaryd is pictured right with his AFL star brother Jordan and sister Chloe
‘Now my heart is shattered into a million pieces.
‘Huddy and I will love you and miss you forever and ever and ever.’
Jessica had begged for help locating Jaryd in posts on Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday, writing: ‘If anyone has heard from Jaryd since around 2.30pm yesterday please please let us know.’
Jordan Dawson’s wife Milly also shared the post.
South Australia Police said there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding Dawson’s death in a statement made shortly after he was found.
It is understood that his car and phone were found at Beacon Hill Lookout near Robe prior to confirmation of his death.
The Crows playing group was informed of the disappearance on Wednesday morning.
Jaryd and Jessica were married in late 2024 before welcoming Hudson into the world in September.
Jaryd and Jessica Dawson (pictured together) were married in late 2024
Jessica’s post desperately seeking help finding her husband was also shared by Jordan’s wife Milly (pictured together)
Jordan Dawson has had his brother’s birth date tattooed on his ankle
The father-of-one was also the co-founder of Domus Design & Build, a building company based in Robe.
Jaryd Dawson was also a talented footballer.
He was vice-captain of the Robe Roosters reserve-grade side and played in the 2025 Mid South Eastern Football League grand final after getting called up to A Grade.
The tragedy has rocked Robe in addition to throwing the footy world into mourning.
‘He was heavily involved in the local football club … you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who had not met him or had some connection to him,’ a friend of Dawson told News Corp.
‘He was extremely well-known in the area and well-liked by everyone.
‘Not one person had anything bad to say about him.’
Jordan Dawson’s Crows play St Kilda on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval, and it is not known whether he will play.
The skipper will carry his brother’s memory on his skin for the rest of his life after having a touching family tattoo done several years ago.
He had the birthdays of Jaryd, their parents Marian and Tony, and their sister Chloe added above his ankle in Roman numerals.
‘I was with a mate, he was getting a tattoo and I thought it’d be nice to get,’ he said.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
