This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text 988. For more resources, click here.

DANE COUNTY, Wis. – A Wisconsin family is honoring the son and brother they lost to suicide by supporting others with mental illness.

What You Need To Know

  • The CDC said more Americans died of suicide in 2022 than ever before

  • Tony Schwoegler was the life of the party, and adored his family

  • His family is honoring him by trying to help and educate others dealing with mental illness and addiction

A new report from the CDC showed that in 2022, more Americans lost their lives to suicide than ever before.

“Funny, goofy, he was crazy,” said Jill Squires of her little brother Tony Schwoegler. “We had a fun life growing up … If there was a gray cloud, it was gone as soon as he walked in the door.”

His niece Josie said she loves finding his old things, like a poem he wrote in elementary school.

Schwoegler's dog Prince and partner Craig were the loves of his life. Meanwhile, his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews were his pride and joy.

He struggled with mental illness and later addiction. Schwoegler became addicted to Xanax, which was originally prescribed to him for his anxiety. Squires said soon, he was buying it on the street, often via social media.

It was agony for his family, who felt like they were trying everything to help.

“We knew that he needed to be in a facility,” Squires said. “We were trying to keep him here at home until we could get him in somewhere. There just wasn’t enough time.”

As they were figuring out next steps, in April 2022, they got the worst call of their lives.

“He took his life,” Squires said. “It was something we never expected. And the way that he did it was just…” she trailed off.

His obituary was open and heartfelt, detailing how hard life was for him inside his own mind.

Life without Schwoegler will never be the same.

“We spent almost every weekend together,” she said. “Loved being around his nieces and nephews.”

They’ve now started a nonprofit called The AJS Project in honor of Schwoegler. AJS Project raises money for mental health care organizations; the hope is to help educate people about addiction and suicide risk.

“Something needs to change,” she said. “I don’t have all the answers, but I want to be part of that change.”

Squires said it’s been healing to do something productive with her grief, which will never go away.

For more information about The AJS Project, click here.

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