When TJ Radevski 55, died suddenly earlier this year, his wife Angelica and daughter Preston immediately knew they wanted to immortalise him by preserving his tattoo
After losing her husband unexpectedly earlier this year, one woman made a deeply personal and unconventional choice that has captivated millions online.
Angelica Radevski, a mum and nurse from West Virginia, preserved and framed a piece of his tattooed skin. The 35-year-old had been lifelong friends with TJ before they married in 2021. Together they raised their 10-year-old son, Preston.
When TJ passed away suddenly in March at age 55, Angelica knew exactly how she wanted to pay tribute to him – because they had talked about it before.
While they were married, she brought up the idea of framing a tattoo to her husband several times, and “he thought it was really cool,” she explained on TikTok.
READ MORE: Real-life Cinderella leaves prom in tears after ‘bullies tear dress to pieces’READ MORE: Dad kills armed intruder in his own home after gang bursts in with crowbar
Of TJ’s more than 70 tattoos, the couple chose to preserve his first sleeve: a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet design in black and gold, morphed into a skull image.
It was a firm favourite for both TJ and his young son, who also helped make the final call. “This is Dad,” 10-year-old Preston declared to his mum.
After the funeral, Angelica outlined the exact portion of TJ’s tattoo to be preserved. A mortician painstakingly removed the skin and placed it in a bespoke kit from Ohio-based company Save My Ink Forever, which then began a 90-day preservation process.
When the finished piece was returned, set in a dark wood frame and glass, Angelica was bowled over. “It was a good shock,” she explained. “So many things you didn’t know you were missing instantly felt better.”
The preserved tattoo retained TJ’s skin texture, right down to his wrinkles and even fine hairs. “This isn’t a replica,” Angelica shared on social media. |You can see his hair, his wrinkles, the ink I kissed goodnight.”
For Angelica and her son, the framed ink gives them a physical and emotional connection to TJ that they say they wouldn’t get from an urn.
“When we want to know he’s here, we can hold the frame. It does so much more than a picture,” the mum said.
The family’s story has sparked viral interest online, with Angelica’s story hitting more than 30 million views.
It’s proved divisive, with split reactions. While many praised her strength and creativity, others likened it to a horror movie, even making cruel comparisons to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
One person said: “Note to put in my will…. please DO NOT cut my tattoos off my deceased body and frame then…..”
Another added: “I’m sorry but it’s way too Silence of the Lambs for me.”
But Angelica isn’t worried about the backlash. “Just because it’s not what you’d choose doesn’t mean you have to make me feel bad about it,” she told PEOPLE.
She’s now using her large platform to encourage others to talk openly about death, loss, and preparedness. Her family, left without life insurance, also faced huge financial pressure after TJ’s death.
“Instead of spending a year planning a wedding, why don’t we make it normal to plan for death?” she said. |It shouldn’t be ugly to talk about.”