‘He was my strength, my best friend’: Father’s heartbreak after 12-year-old son dies

The father of a 12-year-old Auckland schoolboy who died says he has lost his “strength” and “best friend”. 

Jason Brendon Madanu, a Mt Roskill Intermediate student, died on September 7, just weeks before his 13th birthday. 

A pathologist’s provisional opinion was he suffered bleeding inside the skull as a complication of immune thrombocytopenia and infection. The condition causes the immune system to destroy platelets needed for blood to clot. 

Jason is survived by his parents, Arogya Joseph Madanu and Bhagya Rani Madanu, two younger sisters and a younger brother, who remember Jason as a caring, creative boy who dreamed of becoming a pastor. 

His father told the Herald that life for the family had changed forever. 

“I see him everywhere,” Arogya said. 

“I miss his hugs. He kissed me every night even though I’d tell him, ‘Jason, you’re a big boy, you don’t have to do that’, but he’d still kiss each of us. We miss that.” 

Jason Brendon Madanu died after a short illness. 

Jason was born in Hyderabad, India, on October 23, 2013, and spent part of his early childhood there with his grandmother while his parents moved to New Zealand to prepare the way. 

Arogya recalled their emotional reunion at the airport when Jason eventually made the big move. 

“He looked into my eyes for two or three minutes. He missed me so much for two years. He didn’t stop calling me, ‘Daddy, Daddy’.” 

He was a protective and doting big brother, Arogya said. He recalled the moment Jason saw his first baby sister after the family brought her home from Waitākere Hospital in 2022. 

“He ran to the baby. He was so excited ... his eyes were shining like stars.” 

Jason also loved family adventures, particularly trips to Rotorua, his favourite holiday destination, walks at Point Chevalier beach and late-night stops for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on Ponsonby Rd. 

Jason was a doting and protective older brother. 

He thrived at school and was looking forward to singing in his school’s production of Moana Jr. 

“He loved to sing. He’d come home and we’d hear him practising in the bathroom or see him doing some Moana actions.” 

Mt Roskill Intermediate remembered Jason as a “special taonga” and dedicated last week’s production to him. 

Principal Kristen Walsham told the Herald Jason spent his break times around the hall during rehearsals, fascinated as the staging and set took shape, particularly the waka. 

He would even make sure only cast members entered the hall, she said. 

“He loved music and would dance and move around to it. Our performing arts teacher and production director were building parts for him to be involved in the show.” 

Jason had also earned several achievement badges, including a Principal’s Award, which he wore proudly and “loved to show people”. 

“He liked getting involved in activities around the school, including AIMS bake sales and dressing up for House Colours Day in ‘Rātā red’.” 

Walsham said Jason “touched many lives and will never be forgotten”. 

Jason was very musical and loved to sing. 

Jason had a deep love of music and worship. 

Arogya said that on Sundays, Jason would dress in a blazer and set up a projector, keyboard and Bible in his room, singing and praying while his younger sisters clapped along. 

“He loved to worship, he loved Jesus, he loved to pray.” 

Jason’s favourite worship song was the Telugu Christian song Yese Naa Parihaari (“Jesus Is My Protector”), about finding comfort and protection in Jesus through hardship. 

Mt Roskill Intermediate student Jason Madanu died aged 12. 

In the weeks before his death, Jason became unwell. Arogya said Jason fainted at home and felt dizzy at school, then developed painful mouth sores and bleeding and was admitted to hospital. 

That evening Arogya said his son repeatedly begged him to take him home. 

“He was so scared,” Arogya said. “He was telling me, ‘Daddy, take me home. I don’t want to stay in the hospital. Let’s go home, Daddy. Let’s go home.’” 

Jason had barely eaten for almost a week because of the sores in his mouth and was so hungry. 

Arogya said he felt helpless. 

“I told my son, ‘Jason, we wait some time to get treated... [Once] the bleeding stops from the nose and mouth we can go home and then you can have a proper meal.’” 

Early the following morning, Jason woke his father and said he felt sick. 

“After he threw up, I was so worried I was crying,” Arogya said. “Then my son looked at me and smiled. He took my hand and put it under his chin. He wanted to hug me.” 

A few hours later, Jason complained he was too hot and had severe pain in his head. 

“Daddy, Daddy, help me. My head hurts,” Arogya recalled him saying. 

“Those were the last words he spoke to me. 

“And then he moved from his bed and he came to my bed, and then he lay down on my bed and he never opened his eyes again.” 

His death has been referred to the coroner. 

Jason Brendon Madanu's parents said he was a caring and creative child. 

Arogya said since Jason’s death, the love and support from his church, school and wider community had meant “more than we can express”. 

A Givealittle page has been set up by the Telangana Association of New Zealand to raise money to help the family with funeral, burial and memorial costs. 

Jason’s faith has been a source of comfort for the family after his death. 

“My daughter asks me every day when we can see Jason, so we tell her, ‘One day, when we go to Jesus, we will see him and celebrate, so wait for our turn.’ 

“That’s our hope.”