It is with great sadness that I am writing this. Today, it has been confirmed that Jason David Frank committed suicide. Our favorite Ranger passed away sometime between last night and this morning, taking his own life.

I just saw JDF two weeks ago at our con. I waited two hours for it and when it came time for my turn, someone who was working the convention came up to him and told him that he needed to leave his both and head to a panel. JDF told him that he couldn't rush him and that he wasn't going to leave until all the fans were seen or a plan was in place to make sure they were. His motto was always "Til the last fan!" and he lived by it at every single con he attended. When the guy walked away, JDF said under his breath that his anxiety was through the roof and he didn't know how much more of that he could take. When he realized I had heard him, he apologized to me and said that it had been a hectic time. I told him he didn't need to apologize and that we, the fans, were there to see him, and that he shouldn't have to feel that way. I told him that we appreciated every single thing he does for us and that he shouldn't feel pressured by anyone. He smiled, got a little watery-eyed, and said that he was thankful to have fans like that. He signed his autograph for me and then gave me a free picture for the pep talk. He gave me a smile, shook my head, and I walked away from his booth.

When I woke up this morning, this was the last thing I thought I would be reading. I didn't believe it as it unfolded and when the news grew, I felt the pit of my stomach just drop. There had been so many warning signs these last few years of him being depressed. He was very open about this, especially after the death of his mother. It was no secret that he was going through or went through a nasty divorce with Tammy and that things between him and Hasbro weren't exactly the greatest. JDF also lost his brother at a young age, something that I had spoken to him about a number of times in person and on social media. I lost my sister when I was a kid and knew what it was like to lose a sibling. Through his poetry and his posts, you could see that JDF was hurting. This past time I saw him, you could see that there was a sadness in him that wasn't there before.

My heart hurts today. It hurts for not only his children and his loved ones but also for us, the fans. We grew up with Power Rangers and Tommy Oliver was the very heart and soul of that. JDF did his best to make Tommy come alive whether it was on the show, in the movies, or by doing little bits here and there to make Tommy a part of the franchise. He was the reason I attended my first comic-con and every time I was able to see him, he always made sure to make each and every ten minutes you had with him special. JDF had his own demons and his own issues but it brings us back to the fact that he was human. When I saw him at Power Morphicon, I was so discouraged by what he said on the panel about not wanting to be involved as Tommy anymore. Looking back, I can see that this was him trying to find himself in a sea of emotions that he was dealing with. He even has been selling big pieces of his collection on eBay to fans at auction, pieces that were very important to him. As many of you know, Marci (HighffelFlower) and I have been friends for several years now and we talk about JDF pretty much on a daily basis. And for a while now, we both have expressed concerns about him and everything he has been going through. It really shows that you never know what a person is going through and exactly what a person feels they need to do to make the pain stop.

I love Power Rangers and this community with everything in my heart. Each and every one of you has made an impact on my life through my fics. It's so much more than just a kids' show to me and my heart shattered when the news was confirmed. Right now, we need to come together and support each other and the remaining cast, especially Amy Jo and David. They will be hurting as more comes to light about this tragedy and they will need our support instead of questions.

If you or anyone you know ever feels like they have no other options, please reach out. My inbox is always open. Dial 988 to speak to someone directly. You can text 741-741 to text someone if talking is too much. You are never alone, even if you feel you have no one left on your side.

To Jason, thank you so much for everything you have done for Power Rangers. Thank you for your kind words each time I met you and for keeping PR alive for so many. There is no way that it could have lasted for 30 years if it wasn't for the fact that you kept Tommy Oliver alive in each of our hearts for so long. I am so sorry that you couldn't find the support you needed. I pray that you are at peace and that you are able to be reunited with your family again.

May the Power Protect You.