A grieving Dundee family say they’re struggling to come to terms with the death of a “one in a million” son and brother.
Kuba Sterna, 16, was found dead at his home in Balunie Avenue earlier this month.
His mum Katrina Miskiewicz, 39, and sister Paula, 13, have spoken for the first time about his death. Katrina said: “It has been really hard for me — he was my son.
“We love Kuba so much and can’t believe he is gone.
“He was quite quiet and loved playing on his Xbox, but he had just started becoming more open and adventurous.
“He was getting older and starting to try a lot of new things.
“He wanted to be everything when he was older — a florist, a ballet dancer — there wasn’t anything that Kuba didn’t want to do when he grew up. He had even decided he wanted to get a tattoo.
“He was planning to get one soon. He had been asking us to save up for one for him.
“When we were on holiday, I asked him if he wanted a present brought back.
“He told me that I should just keep the money and put it towards his tattoo.
“He was one in a million. I love him so much and I will always miss him.”
Katrina admits that it has been hard to cope at times, but the response from Kuba’s school mates at Craigie High has given her strength to get through.
She added: “There were so many people from his school at the ceremony at the crematorium on October 15.
“His teachers, friends and family — I was really happy to see how many friends he had at school.
“It was obvious just how much he meant to them all. It made me really proud that my boy was loved by so many people.
“It’s nice to know he was popular with all his classmates.
“I want to say a big thank you to them for all the support they have given us.
“The messages that I received from them kept me strong.
“It doesn’t matter that we came from Poland, they have treated us like we are part of the community.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us and to say that I am very proud that we can say we live in Dundee.
“I am proud because of how important Kuba was to people at Craigie High School.
“He was a Craigie High boy — they saw him as one of their own.
“He wasn’t just any person, he was very important to his friends.”
Paula, who also attends Craigie High, says she misses having her big brother around to talk to when she has problems.
She said: “I loved my brother so much and I really miss him.
“We had our ups and downs but we always got along.
“We were just like normal brother and sister. We fought with each other, but we always made up afterwards.
“If I had a problem I could always go and speak to him about it. I miss him.
“Kuba had an imaginative mind and was really creative.
“Once, he made up his own symbols and wrote my mum a letter in that language.
“He loved music too and his favourite band was Marina and the Diamonds. He liked all of their songs.”
Kuba, whose family follow the Catholic faith, was cremated on October 15.
In line with his faith’s customs he will also be given a burial service, although the family have yet to set a date for that.
Craigie High School Parent Council and PTA has set up a page to raise money to pay for Kuba’s Catholic burial.
People who want to offer their support can visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/elizabeth-richiardi.