Birdhouse Skateboards pro skater David Loy opened up about the 10 year anniversary of losing his brother Bryce Loy, sharing a deeply personal reflection on grief, addiction, and mental health struggles that have stayed with him since that time.
He said this date never really gets easier, even after a decade has passed. It still brings everything back, especially the memories of who Bryce was in life.
He described him as someone who lived fast in every sense, someone drawn to adrenaline, constantly seeking out new experiences, and inspired by the JACKASS crew.
Friends and family knew him as fearless, outgoing, and someone who fully committed to whatever he cared about.
Losing someone that close had a major effect on David’s life. He shared that after Bryce died, he ended up in a very dark place himself, struggling to cope with the loss and at one point feeling like he did not want to keep going.
The weight of grief and confusion around everything that happened made everyday life difficult for a long time.
Bryce’s own story carried a lot of pain. After a serious accident that left him facing paralysis, he managed to recover far beyond expectations, eventually walking again and even getting back on a skateboard and surfboard at least once.
But the recovery came with severe long term pain, and he was placed on heavy opioid prescriptions to manage it.
According to David, this turned into hundreds of pills each month, something he believes played a major role in what eventually led to his brother’s death.
David also expressed anger toward parts of the medical and pharmaceutical systems involved in Bryce’s care, saying mistakes and overprescribing made an already difficult situation worse.
Alongside the anger and sadness, his message also focused on people who may be going through similar struggles today.
He encouraged anyone dealing with mental health issues, addiction, or suicidal thoughts to reach out for help, even if it feels difficult. He reminded people that silence can be dangerous and that staying connected to others can make a real difference.
He also spoke directly to those who know someone struggling, encouraging them to check in and let people know they are not alone. He emphasized how quickly things can change and how important it is to stay present for others.
After years of therapy and working through his own pain, David said he has found some peace while still carrying the loss with him. He ended his message by honoring Bryce’s memory and expressing love for him, saying he continues to think of him often and believes he is at peace now.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
David Posted:
"Today is a tough one, 10 years ago my brother passed away by suicide. You would think after 10 years it would get easier but when this time of year hits it always hits harder and harder. For those of you that knew Bryce you knew he was a full adrenaline junkie and did everything to the fullest. His role models were the JACKASS crew if that tells you anything, he was fearless, charismatic, adventurous and everything he wanted to be good at he was. Dealing with suicide in any situation is never easy but having it be your older brother someone you looked up to and admired is extremely hard. After he passed I fully spiraled outta control and got myself to a point where I didn’t want to live anymore. The difference is he was living in a world of pain after his accident and was supposed to be paralyzed but just like in Bryce fashion he walked again, skated and surfed once. The pain was so bad that they were prescribing him 300 opioid pills a month. Which ended up taking his life a couple years later. 🖕 to the pharmesudecal industry and the doctors that messed up his surgeries to make his life even harder.
If any of you are struggling with mental health, suicidal thoughts or addiction ask for help, I know it’s hard but what’s harder is losing someone you love to this. Know that you are loved and there are people out there that care about you. If you know people struggling let them know they are loved and not alone because it can get really dark and you never know when the next time you will get that text back or that phone call from them. I love you and the world needs you! I have some peace now after years of therapy and working on myself through this process and know that Bryce is up there in HEAVEN watching over us with all of our other fallen loved ones!
MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU DEARLY BRYCE 🫶“THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND I MUST GO”
DO IT FOR THE ONES THAT CANT!
BRYCE LOY FOREVER 👼
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline"