North Cook News

The mother of a Glenbrook North High School senior who died by suicide last week said she had no doubt in her mind that her son’s death was due to pandemic restrictions.

“I know Dylan would be with us today if COVID hadn’t prevented him from being in person working on projects with classmates,” Karen Buckner said at Dylan Buckner’s funeral on Jan. 11. “From being in person to work out with his teammates. From being able to grab a burger or tacos and just hang out with his friends in a restaurant. While on Thursday that was just a speculation of mine, Friday’s event and the way it affected me has given me all the conviction I needed to know that Dylan’s death was COVID related.” 

Karen Buckner said COVID-19 has robbed everyone from small things, like talking to friends in person instead of on devices — small things our social wellbeing needs.

“As much as I struggle to put this together, I had the benefit of just reading Dylan’s college application essays and self-reflections,” Karen Buckner said. “Dylan had 10 applications submitted, including four last-minute ones we completed just six days ago.”

Karen Buckner said she wished her son was in the wrong state of mind to believe the words he wrote in his essays and was aware of how special he was.

Karen Buckner said when Dylan Buckner graduated kindergarten, he received a certificate for being most empathetic.

“His caregivers were most impressed with his innate desire to look out for others and think of their feelings,” Karen Buckner said. “It was a trait that was apparent at five years old and a trait we are proud to say he exhibited until his very last days. He was happiest when he could help somebody else.”