FRONT ROYAL — Dorothy Hicks is heartbroken — and determined to do everything she can to prevent suicide from impacting other families.

Tuesday marked two years since Hicks’ son, Josh Lillard, took his own life on Aug. 19, 2023. He was 17.

A senior at Warren County High School, Josh was the third of Hicks’ four children. He was the son of Steven Lillard and stepson of Hicks’ husband, Lucas. Josh was a Front Royal native who Hicks said was deeply loved.

“Josh was very good hearted, very loving,” she said. “He would give you the shirt off his back — as a matter of fact, he has done it before.”

Noting that he came from a loving home and “was very close to all of his siblings,” Hicks said that she saw signs of distress in Josh from a young age. He struggled with anger, anxiety and depressio

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