A 17-year-old boy from California killed himself four months after his dad died of COVID after blaming himself for the fatal infection by asking his family to attend his high school pep rally.

In August 2021, the Reyes family of five - mom Stephanie, dad Anthony Sr, 46, and their three teenage kids - were brimming with hope for a bright future as they prepared to move into their new home in Whittier.

Tragically, his son Anthony Jr, 17, took his own life earlier this month, with his grieving mom Stephanie Reyes devastated by the double loss. .

Anthony Reyes Sr, 46 (left), a married dad-of-four, died of COVID on September 11, 2021, and his son, Anthony Jr, 17 (right), died by suicide four months later .

Stephanie Reyes, 37, says her son was blaming himself for his father's death because he had invited his family to a pep rally, where they all likely contracted COVID .

The grieving mom said the 17-year-old considered himself responsible for his father's COVID diagnosis because he had invited his family to a pep rally at school, where they all likely contracted the illness, reported Los Angeles Times. .

The Reyes family were unvaccinated against COVID because they were concerned about their various medical conditions and possible side effects from the jab. 

'He felt guilty,' Stephanie said of her son's mindset in the weeks and months after his father's death

Stephanie (2nd R) said she tried to get help for her struggling son after her husband's death but could not find an available therapist