On December 13, 2022, Connie Boss Alexander’s life was forever changed. Her son Stephen 'tWitch' Boss died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Six months later, she opened up to People magazine about her grief.
Connie still struggles to wrap her head around the situation. She often goes to text her son before remembering the awful truth. The pair were extremely close. She says her faith comforts her with the knowledge she will see him again someday.
“Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday, and then other times it feels like it’s been so long since I’ve seen him,” Connie explained. It seems unreal or just a bad dream. It’s a hard truth no mother ever wants to grapple with.
Connie is leaning on her Christianity to get her through the unspeakable grief she carries. “When I think about him, I try not to dwell on how he left this earth,” she explains. She knows her son is more than his death. “This is not totally the end. That is where my peace comes from,” she adds.
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Connie had Stephen when she was 18 years old. She looks back fondly on his childhood, remembering him as "always smiling, always willing to try new things.” His love of dance was apparent from a young age. “If I had on music, he was dancing,” she added.
This led him to pursue a career in dance. “He was the only male on his dance team in high school,” Connie recalled. “That’s how dedicated and serious he was about it. He didn’t care that kids might be whispering."
When Stephen became a parent himself, it only strengthened his bond with his own mother. "As an adult, I think he really was able to see and appreciate some of the challenges I had as a young parent. And we talked about those things,” Connie shared.
In addition to Stephen, Connie has two other sons and works as a city supervisor. “I’m the classic boy mom, very protective,” she stated. She and Stephen used to speak daily. “If we weren’t talking every day, we were texting. He was my heart,” she went on to say.
Connie admits to wondering what she missed and if she could have prevented this tragedy. "You find yourself in a lot of introspection, a lot of looking back,” she explains. “Did I miss something? Did he mean something when he said this? It was just very, very shocking. I don’t know when or if I’ll ever accept it.”
She knows Stephen is looking down on her and wishing her well. “In my head I can hear him say, 'Hey, Mom. I’m OK,'” she revealed. It’s a comforting thought. She is taking things one day at a time and hopes the world remembers Stephen’s legacy of love.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
