Sayer Rhys Evans
June 14, 1999 - November 19, 2022
We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the suicide death of Sayer Rhys Evans. We not often meet someone as wonderful and special as Sayer Evans. He took his own life on Saturday, November 19th. We will never be the same.
Sayer was a member of the first graduating class of Newark Charter High School, where he attended on an “as needed basis”. Despite his attendance record, he was elected Homecoming King his Senior Year. Sayer looked at high school as a hurdle to his life goals; becoming a US Marine in 2018 at Parris Island in the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Company B, Wilmington, DE. He went on to accomplish his other dream of becoming a Police Officer in 2021 with the 100th Wilmington Police Department recruit class. He was the very proud recipient of the Lt. James A. Diana Senior Memorial Award. Sayer was an honored member of both C and B platoons. Most recently his duties included becoming the “Traffic Car”, which Sayer especially loved because his car didn’t have a light bar and he could travel all over the city eating and sampling from every unregulated food truck and non-inspected food establishment. Sayer was loved by everyone he met. He even had one of his arrestees come back to the police station to thank him for arresting him the night prior.
Sayer is dearly and painfully missed by his sister, Rebecca Evans, of Princeton, NJ; his father and stepmother, David and Lorena Evans, of East Windsor, NJ; his mother and stepfather, Donna and Lorne Peterson, of Newark, DE; stepsisters, Kira, Missy, and Marissa Formica of Manalapan, NJ; stepbrothers, Matthew Peterson of Denver, CO, and Andrew Peterson of Milford, DE; and nephew, Brantley Peterson. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Sheila and Grenville Evans, of Nice, France; aunts, Diane and Rhonda Bramble, of Lafayette, CO; uncle, Michael Evans, of Tallinn, Estonia; aunt, Daniella; and cousins, Julie and John Evans of Milan, Italy. Sayer had an especially close relationship with his grandfather, Ronald Bramble, who passed away in 2010. He is also preceded in death by his grandmother, Betty Bramble in 1987, and his uncle, Peter Evans in 1991.
Sayer has touched so many lives and we do not want his memory to ever fade. Please talk about suicide, mental health, and about the pain. Shout about it. If this helps one person, saves one family from the gutting, crippling grief, we have honored Sayer in the best way. We cannot lose another bright light like Sayer. Please join us to celebrate his life and to discuss all of the laughs and light he brought to all of us.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. A second visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the funeral home, where a funeral service will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701.
Any family or friends who are unable to attend the service for Sayer may live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sayer’s name may be made to a charity that aims to prevent, educate and help prevent Law Enforcement Officer Suicide called BLUE H.E.L.P. at 1st H.E.L.P., PO Box 539, Auburn, MA 01501. Please make checks payable to 1st H.E.L.P. and in the memo line, indicate that the donation is for “Blue H.E.L.P” or donations can be made online by clicking here.
Shane Chopko
Hello, I was a classmate and friend of Sayer’s from NCS. A few weeks ago I was driving around Wilmington when I happened to see a Silver 70’s Ford Elite. I hadn’t realized it but I drove right past Sayer’s house! I remember when he told me he had found the car a few years ago and wanted me to come along to check it out. Every time I saw that land yacht I knew it was him. I am sorry for your loss and have been keeping you all in my heart and in my mind.
KIMMIE Ingram
Sending our deepest condolences. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. With Love, The Ingrams
Peterson Helen
May the blessings of Sayer’s life tho very short never be forgotten. May the peace of God and the light shine forever in your memories . To the entire family and friends love and understanding on your loss . Rest in peace till we meet again.
Irene and Mark Farmer
Mark and I are thinking of you and praying peace will come quickly to you and your family. Sorry for your loss and know we are here for anything you need. ((Hugs)) Xoxo
Cd
So much accomplished in such a brief amount of time. God bless you and your family.
Lori Friess
Donna, Lorne and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!
In deepest Sympathy!
Lori and Rich Friess
Freida Squirrel Salaam
Dear Donna and family I’m so very sorry about hearing of the passing of your son. May he rest in sweet dreams.
Freida Squirrel salaam.
Shuusei Matsuura
Hello, I knew Sayer since West Park Place Elementry School and until NCHS. I still remember the time Sayer joked almost everyday during class time filling the room with laughter. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Rest and peace Sayer, until we meet again.
Alyssa Hornung
Anytime I talked to Sayer, whether it was at a friend’s house or running into him on Main Street, he made me laugh and feel instantly welcomed. Such a funny and genuine person- I always enjoyed seeing him. I’m sending my deepest condolences to his family and close friends.
Kris Conner
Sayer was in my very first class as a third grade teacher at Newark Charter School. We had a special bond, and he will always have a place in my heart. I was honored when his mother Donna reached out to me while Sayer was in bootcamp for the marines. She thought he needed a little love and support to see him through. It meant the world that she reached out to me all those years after I was Sayer’s teacher. He became a pen pal with my second grade class. He wrote to each and every one of them. Then, to our wonderful surprise, he came to visit me and my class. It is truly one of the most moving moments of my teaching career. He proudly let each of my students wear his marine hat and pose for a picture with him. I filled my heart to see how much it meant for him to come back to his school with such a success. I loved seeing Sayer so proud of himself and feeling so accomplished. He truly touched everyone who knew him and his light lives on in all the hearts of his family and friends – including mine. Although I am heartbroken, I also feel special having shared his life even for a short time. My heart goes out to Donna and the rest of Sayer’s family.
Susan and Bob Mann
Our son, Harry served with Sayer in the Wilmington Police Department. His heart is broken, as well as the hearts of all active and retired police officers in Wilmington. We grieve with you for your lovely, brave son, brother and grandson.
Susan and Bob Mann
Cindy (Mayle) Mazzotta
My deepest condolences to Donna and family members on the loss of Sayer. He sounds like a dynamic young man. As a kid, I enjoyed wonderful times with the Bramble family. My heart is heavy for all who mourn this young life. May he Rest In Peace.
Dean Winslow
Your family is in my prayers.
Sonny Gershman
We are so sorry for your lose and you will be in our prayers
Scott Twigg
To Lorne, and to the other members of the Evans/Peterson family, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to all of you… 🙏
John Martin
Lorne and Family,
We are sorry for your loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Peg Martin
Curt Kimmel
Lorne and Donna, my condolences are sent to you and your family. Losing a loved one is very difficult and I know the pain you are feeling. Know that you all are in my prayers.
Curt Kimmel
SHAWN M SCHAEFER
RIP to this beautful Soul. May God wrap His Loving arms around your family. So much accomplished in his short life. I am forever grateful to those who serve #ThankYouWillNeverBeEnough #PoliceMomx2
Kristen Parker
Sayer always made me smile and laugh! Never forget him stealing all the teachers staplers. He definitely helped make charter survivable. He was so kind to everyone he met. I am so sorry for your loss.
Gina Grillo
i work with Sayer’s mom. i am so very sorry for y our loss. if i can do anything, please let me know.
you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Caitlin Wisniewski
I was in the grade below Sayer at Newark Charter. Before the high school opened there, it was kind of odd for kids to be friends/know anyone outside of your grade. We stayed with the same specific class of 30 some kids from year to year, so you kind of only knew them. This wasn’t the case with Sayer though. Everybody and anybody had a friend in Sayer. He was kind, witty, and so so funny. My first time meeting him was on the bus ride home. I was usually a car rider and didn’t know anybody on my bus. Walking down the isle, trying to find a place to sit, Sayer offered to let me sit with him. That meant so much more to me than he probably realized. Sayer was and still is such a bright light. I’m so sorry for this incredible loss.
Trish Dickerson
I do not know you or Sayer. But was raised in a military/police family. I am also very compassionate about mental health and helping those in need. I have and will continue to keep everyone in my prayers. May GOD wrap his arms around you during this difficult time.
The Crouse Family
We are so saddened to hear of Sayer’s passing. Sadly this is not the first death by suicide we have known this year. We are keeping you all in our prayers and know Sayer was a wonderful person. We fondly remember all those beach visits. His story will not go untold.
Jerry deBock
Lorne and Donna and the Evans family, I am very sorry to hear of Sayers loss. My condolences and prayers to you all. Words alone cannot express our feelings at this time of loss.
Kim Satterfield
Donna and Family, so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this rough time. With Love, The Satterfield Family
Kathy D Conway
So sorry for your loss of Sayer. My sympathy to you.
John Witzke
May this young man be free of the pain and torments and rest in eternal peace amongst the heavens. May he be remembered for his life, the memories he made and the lives he touched. Sempre Fidelis.
John Witzke
USAF Ret
Aetna HH&L Co
Bob DiBiano
I have no words but to say I know how much Sayer was loved and what a joy he was to everyone around him. My thoughts are with you.
Bryan Crowe
It is with great sadness that I wish to extend my condolence’s with the passing of Sayer. He obviously touched the hearts of many in a short amount of time. I know that you must have been extremely proud of him and his many accomplishments! I didn’t know that there was another Marine in the family. Then to become a police officer, like his Grandfather. I hope that he is welcomed in the arms of Uncle Ron and Aunt Betty and that he is richly Blessed by our Lord! I will put Donna, Diane, Sayer and all of the family in my prayers. Bryan
Peterson
As sayers uncle I honor and salute our nephew for taking the oath to defend his country as a marine and to protect and serve our city as an officer no words can convey the heavy hearts we all have but know to Donna, Becca, my brother and family I love you all and pray God’s peace cover and fill you each and every day .rest in peace nephew sayer love from the Peterson family
Susan Poley
Donna, I’m retired from NPD, married to Ralph Johnson, good friends with Ann Grunert and I too am an SODE volunteer. I have met you on several occasions. We are so sorry for your loss. I applaud your honesty in his obituary and support being “out loud” about silent, invisible pain and suffering. I wish you peace.