Young mum left devastated as her partner leaves on a solo ‘camping trip’ – never to be seen again

A week after her daughter’s first birthday, pregnant Tess Goode, 33, said goodbye to her partner, who went on a solo camping trip.

A happy family life beckoned, with the man she wanted to marry, daughter Ava and soon her second child.

But he never came home again.

Brendan Hancock, 33, known as Brenny, from Murphy’s Creek in western Victoria, committed suicide in the early hours of July 1.

Mr Hancock’s family had reported him missing after he failed to show up for work and was uncontactable.

Friends have rallied behind his heavily pregnant partner, Tess Goode, 33, and a GoFundMe Page to ease the financial burden as she prepares to raise two children under the age of two on her own.

“Brendan was the only one providing for his family,” the page read.

‘He was a devoted, loving partner and father, and a friend to all who knew him.

“He put others first and would always lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He has certainly left a huge hole in so many hearts.”

Narelle Taylor, a friend of the couple, started the fundraiser along with another friend “to provide hope to a family in need.”

She said she could hardly imagine how daunting it must be to care for two babies after such a terrible loss.

“I know Tess would be grateful for any help, even a small amount would mean a lot,” Taylor told Daily Mail Australia.

“If a few people give $5 here and there, it adds up.”

Ms Goode worked as a nurse before becoming a housewife, but now for the first time in her life she has been forced to rely on Centrelink.

Mr Hancock was a sheep shearer who worked tirelessly to provide for his family, but often had to take on other jobs during the wetter months to make ends meet.

The couple moved in with Mrs. Goode’s mother, where they would remain for a few years while they saved money for a wedding and a small house in the bush.

Mrs. Goode hopes she will eventually have a place to raise her children.

“Tess is clearly having a very hard time,” Mrs Taylor explained.

“She’s looking into the future alone, so she’s not feeling well… and having to give birth to a baby without him there is all very sad.”

Ms Taylor said she hopes to raise awareness of men’s mental health to ‘prevent men from dying in this sad way’.

She also said that there would have been “many, many, many people who would have helped him” if they had known how hard he “fought.”

“Eight Australians commit suicide every day. That’s too many,” she said.

“We all need to talk to each other and check in with each other about how we are doing.”

She urged anyone struggling with their mental health to seek help.

“You can call a friend 24/7… and some people might think they can’t call anyone, but then there’s Lifeline and things like that,” Taylor said.

“Just call. Let someone know.”

“Brendan was incredibly loved. If he had just called, I don’t think this would have happened.”

The unexpected news of Mr Hancock’s death has shocked his family and friends, who said: “He will be sorely missed.”

“He was a very well known member of the community here and he knew an awful lot about the area,” said Mrs Taylor.

“He was just a really good young man with his whole life ahead of him.”

A funeral service was held Thursday morning at the Murphy’s Creek Fire Station.

For confidential 24-hour support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.