Jessica Carter Dawson pays heartbreaking tribute to late husband, Jaryd Dawson

Jaryd Dawson’s wife has revealed her pain as the AFL world wraps its arms around her and Jordan Dawson.

Jessica Carter Dawson, the wife of Jaryd Dawson, has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband on social media (see below).

Jaryd Dawson, who is also the brother of AFL star Jordan Dawson, was found dead on Wednesday after a large manhunt in South Australia’s south east.

The 35-year-old had gone missing on Tuesday afternoon but police say there are no suspicious circumstances.

Now Jessica has shared the last photo she took of her late husband.

“The last photo I took of my two boys, just two days prior,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I was feeling so incredibly rich in life. Now my heart is shattered into a million pieces. Huddy and I will love you and miss you forever and ever and ever.”

This picture of Jaryd Dawson with his baby was the last photo Jessica took of her husband.This picture of Jaryd Dawson with his baby was the last photo Jessica took of her husband. Credit: Jessica Carter Dawson/Instagram

Crows stars such as Josh Rachele and Luke Nankervis, and AFLW gun Maddy Prespakis were among the thousands to react to Jessica’s tribute.

And Adelaide great and former club captain Mark Bickley says football must now take a back seat for Jordan.

“Jordan Dawson, you just don’t see any way he will play (against St Kilda on Saturday) and shouldn’t be playing,” Bickley said on SEN.

“We’re desperately sad for what he’s going through. That will be a challenge for the whole side.

“When you are as close as you get as a footy team, to see something like this happen and the impact that it has on an individual and their family, that makes it really hard to say ‘OK boys, let’s get fired up about playing a game’.

“Literally, the perspective part of this sort of says, this game is important, but is it really important when we see what our best mate is going through? It diminishes it a little bit.

“It’s a real mental challenge to get yourself up after such a tragic event in Jordan’s life. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle those emotions.”

Jordan missed training on Wednesday.

According to Jaryd’s social media, he recently became a father to a baby boy last September. He and wife Jessica were married at the end of 2024.

Jaryd was also a groomsman at Jordan’s wedding in early 2024.

Jaryd (second left) at Jordan’s (middle) wedding in 2024. Jaryd (second left) at Jordan’s (middle) wedding in 2024. Credit: Instagram The Dawson family after Jordan’s debut for Sydney in 2017. The Dawson family after Jordan’s debut for Sydney in 2017. Credit: Instagram

He was also by Jordan’s side when the AFL star made his debut for Sydney in 2017.

Like his brother, Jaryd also played football and is vice-captain of the Robe Roosters reserves side. He was a key member of the 2024 premiership-winning team, kicking seven goals in the grand final.

Jordan played five years for the Swans before moving to Adelaide at the end of 2021.

He quickly became one of the premier midfielders in the competition and was elevated to captain ahead of the 2023 season.

He also does significant work off the field for a number of different non-for-profit organisations.

Jordan is a board director for Ladder, the official charity of the AFLPA, and was announced as an ambassador for Childhood Cancer Association last month.

He also served as an ambassador for the Black Dog Institute, advocating for mental health awareness and resilience.

Jordan has played four games this season, missing the Round 3 loss to Geelong with a calf injury.