The funeral of Warrick Stock, beloved as DJ Warras, was not just a farewell to a media icon—it was a devastating blow to his three young children, whose raw grief left mourners and the nation in tears. As the 40-year-old was laid to rest on December 23 at Immaculate Conception Church in Rosebank, his sons—Ethan, Nicholas, and Keziah—stood shattered, their world crumbling without the father who was their “sky,” protector, and hero.

“How could we live without Dad?!” Ethan, 12, sobbed in a heartbreaking tribute, echoing the pain that gripped his younger brothers. The boys, dressed in matching outfits honouring their father, clung to each other as tears streamed down their faces. Nicholas, the youngest, buried his head in his hands, whispering, “Dad was my everything,” while Keziah whispered through sobs, “He made everything okay.” Witnesses described the scene as “gut-wrenching,” with the children’s uncontrollable tears choking the packed church.

Warras was gunned down in broad daylight on December 16 outside Zambesi House in Johannesburg’s CBD, a targeted hit linked to his brave work reclaiming hijacked buildings from criminal syndicates. He had secured five protection orders amid death threats, but nothing prepared his family for this “terrifying psychological shock.”

Family spokesperson Melanie Ramjee shared the family’s anguish: “The senseless nature of his passing has left us devastated, broken, and struggling to imagine a world without him. Warrick was a loving and proud father—the heart and anchor of his family.” At the memorial service days earlier, Ethan called his dad “my hero, my rock,” vowing to carry his legacy forward. But at the funeral, reality hit hard—the void felt “endless, cold, and heart-wrenching,” swallowing every joy.

Great-grandmother Hester Livanos, visibly shattered, told reporters: “The children are devastated. They can’t even exist. I don’t know what they’re going to do without their dad like that.” Sister Nicole Stock urged mourners to remember Warras’ humour and light, but admitted the family was “angry” at the loss, especially for the kids.

Tributes poured in from celebrities like Pearl Thusi, who tearfully said Warras “spoke of his children constantly” and was “an extraordinary father.” Slikour sent love to the boys, while fans donated to support them, recognising the “relentless pain” ahead.

As South Africa reels from this tragedy amid rising crime, Warras’ children must navigate a “dark world” without their guiding light. Ethan promised: “We’ll make you proud, Dad.” But for now, their sorrow—a profound longing and unbreakable bond—reminds us all: How does a child bear such a shock? The nation weeps with them, demanding justice so no family endures this again.