Although Julian was Susie Smith’s oldest child by one minute, his twin sister, Paula, usually took on the responsible role in the family. “He was a strong headed boy, you would tell him one thing and he’d do another,” his mother said. “But that’s kids for you.”

Julian kept his rebellious streak as he got older, although he “calmed down” a bit. The birth of his daughter, Amiyah, when he was 17, helped. “They were so close, they were best friends,” Smith said.

Julian developed a passion for motorcycles and became a member of the Zero 2 One Hundred motorcycle club. “He told his brother that when he was on the bike everything else disappeared,” Smith recalled. “His problems were gone. It helped to calm him.”

Shortly before he died, Julian had talked to his mom about getting married and having more children. “He was changing his life altogether,” she said. “Before I lost him we were getting so close. That’s what hurts the most. We never got the chance.”

Julian had recently been on medical leave from his job after an accident on his motorcycle. “He had been in physical therapy and was returning to full health,” Smith said. “He was getting stronger and couldn’t wait to get back on the bike again.”