COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina family is grieving the tragic loss of their 12-year-old son, Jaysen Carr, who died on July 18, 2025, after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, while swimming in Lake Murray. The family, Clarence and Ebony Carr, publicly identified their son through a statement released by their attorney, Tyler Bailey of the Bailey Law Firm, on July 24, 2025.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed the case on July 7, 2025, noting that Jaysen’s exposure to the amoeba likely occurred at Lake Murray, a popular recreational lake near Columbia. Naegleria fowleri, a naturally occurring organism found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds, can cause a rare but nearly always fatal infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Health officials emphasized that while the amoeba is common in warm freshwater bodies across the United States, infections are extremely rare, with fewer than 10 cases reported annually in the U.S. The CDC reports that between 1962 and 2024, only four of the 167 documented cases of PAM in the U.S. resulted in survival.

Jaysen, a student at Hand Middle School in Columbia, was treated at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands, where medical staff provided dedicated care. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease physician at the hospital, explained that the amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like diving or swimming, and travels to the brain, causing severe swelling and tissue destruction. Symptoms of PAM, which include severe headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, and hallucinations, typically appear one to twelve days after exposure. In Jaysen’s case, the infection progressed rapidly, leading to his death within days.

The Carr family expressed profound grief over their son’s death but also gratitude for the overwhelming support from their community. In their statement, they said, “Jaysen’s family is grieving this unthinkable loss, but they are also grateful at the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community. The family has many questions about how and why Jaysen died and wants to do everything in their power to ensure this doesn’t happen to another family.” They have hired the Bailey Law Firm to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jaysen’s death, seeking answers and aiming to raise awareness to prevent future tragedies.

Health officials, including South Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell, have stressed that there is no elevated risk associated with Lake Murray compared to other warm freshwater bodies. “This is not a threat to the general public,” Dr. Bell stated, noting that recreational water activities remain safe due to the rarity of infections. However, experts recommend precautions to reduce the risk of exposure, such as holding the nose or wearing a nose clip when diving or jumping into warm freshwater, avoiding digging in shallow areas where the amoeba may be more concentrated, and using boiled or distilled water for nasal irrigation instead of untreated tap water.

Dr. Scott Curry, an associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, advised that the amoeba is not found in saltwater, making ocean swimming a safer alternative during hot weather. Chlorinated pools and well-maintained water parks are also considered safe, as chlorine kills Naegleria fowleri. The DPH does not track or test for the amoeba, as it is naturally occurring and no public health measures can eliminate it from freshwater environments.

This is the first reported case of Naegleria fowleri in South Carolina since 2016. The tragedy has resonated deeply with others who have lost loved ones to the same infection. Dunn Hollingsworth, a Charleston attorney who lost his 10-year-old daughter Liza to PAM in 2010 after she swam in a Lowcountry lake, shared a message of caution and resilience. “You can’t live your life in fear,” he said, “but take reasonable precautions.” Similarly, Jeremy Lewis, whose 7-year-old son Kyle died from the infection 15 years ago, has been raising awareness through the Kyle Lewis Amoeba Awareness Foundation.

The Carr family is preparing to lay Jaysen to rest, with funeral arrangements expected to be announced soon. They have requested privacy during this difficult time and expressed appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands. As the community mourns this heartbreaking loss, health officials continue to urge the public to educate themselves about Naegleria fowleri and take simple precautions to stay safe while enjoying South Carolina’s lakes and rivers.