Family handoutThe mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed at a house party has made a new documentary to raise awareness about the realities of knife crime.
Hayley Ryall, from Kingswood near Bristol, said her life changed forever in June 2023 when her son, Mikey Roynon, 16, was killed by a single 9.5cm (3.7in) stab wound to the neck from a zombie knife.
Ryall made the new documentary with presenter Laura Whitmore, saying it has become normal for some young people to carry knives and that the film aims to raise awareness of the issue.
“People think sometimes why does she do it [the documentary] but it’s the only way I can speak to the world, and tell them how I really feel,” Ryall added.
“A broken heart truly hurts, and you will never know until you have lost a child,” Ryall said.
Mikey was just days from finishing his GCSE exams when he went to a house party on the outskirts of Bath.
Shane Cunningham fatally stabbed the teenager in the neck and was convicted of his murder after a trial at Bristol Crown Court.
Shane’s two friends, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell, also 16, were jailed for nine years and six months and nine years, respectively, for manslaughter.
The documentary, House Party Killer, which will air on Sky and Prime Video, explores Mikey’s childhood and his interests as he transitioned into adulthood.
“It also goes into the other side – we talk through the evidence because Mikey and Shane didn’t know each other, and it explains how it happened,” Ryall said.
Family HandoutThe documentary also explores what Ryall’s charity, called Mikey’s World, is achieving through its bleed kit campaign.
Ryall said the charity’s next step is to look at knife crime prevention, with leaders planning a new initiative that will use virtual reality headsets.
To cope with her pain, Ryall said she “puts her emotions in a box, shuts the lid”, and waits for Mikey to return home.
Mikey’s trainers and sliders are still in the front porch of the house, the clothes in his washing basket have not been removed, and his toothbrush still remains in his holder.
“It’s comfort, I still want him to be around,” said Ryall.
