After a swing set collapsed on him, CJ seemed fine and asked for food. He died later that night

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — “It’s pain that will never go away.”

That’s how Cortez Williams Sr. shared his heartbreak in an emotional interview, describing losing his 8-year-old son Cortez “CJ” Williams Jr. in what was supposed to be a simple afternoon of play.

CJ died Sunday after a backyard swing set at his mother's home in north St. Louis County suddenly collapsed on him, trapping him beneath a heavy metal crossbar.

“The only thing that was going through my mind was to make it home to him,” Williams said, recalling the moment he learned something was wrong.

He was out of town for work when his daughter FaceTimed him, crying and saying her brother wasn’t responding. A phone call no parent ever wants to receive. He just dropped off CJ at his mom's house earlier that morning.

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