Kevin Boyce’s life unraveled in just a matter of days. What started as what he thought was a stubborn flu after a tick bite in April 2024 quickly spiraled into something far more dangerous—crushing headaches, relentless vomiting, and a sudden collapse in neurological function.

Doctors eventually identified the cause: Powassan virus, a rare but aggressive tick-borne infection that targets the brain. Despite every intervention, the swelling and neurological damage were overwhelming. Kevin never recovered. He died only weeks after that ordinary day outdoors, leaving his family devastated by how fast everything changed.

His loved ones are now speaking publicly, not because it eases their grief, but because they cannot bear the thought of another family facing the same nightmare. They hope Kevin’s story makes others take tick exposure seriously and listen to their instincts when something feels wrong.

Their message is simple: treat every tick as a threat. Use repellent, wear long sleeves, check your skin thoroughly, and seek medical care immediately if symptoms escalate. Kevin’s life cannot be rewritten—but his story may be the warning that saves someone else.