A South Carolina family speaks out after their 12-year-old son dies from a brain-eating amoeba contracted during a swim in Lake Murray. Learn more about the risks and how to protect yourself.
A tragic incident has rocked a family in South Carolina after 12-year-old Jaysen Carr contracted a rare and deadly infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba during a swim at Lake Murray. The infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), led to a fatal brain infection that took Jaysen’s life. His parents are now sharing their grief while raising awareness about the dangers of swimming in freshwater bodies.
A Family Day Turns into a Nightmare
On the Fourth of July, Jaysen Carr was swimming in Lake Murray, South Carolina, with his family, enjoying a peaceful day. Unfortunately, this serene outing quickly turned into a nightmare when Jaysen contracted Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba that causes a rare but fatal infection when water enters the nose. This infection can spread to the brain and has devastating consequences.
Jaysen was rushed to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Midlands, South Carolina, where he passed away. According to the South Carolina Department of Health, this marks the first known case of the amoeba in the state since 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds. Although extremely rare, the amoeba has also been found in poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, and even tap water.
Between 1962 and 2024, there have been only 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States, and tragically, only four of the affected individuals survived.
Family Statement: Raising Awareness
In the wake of their loss, Jaysen’s family is now committed to raising awareness about this rare but deadly infection. During a news conference, Jaysen’s father, Clarence Carr, spoke emotionally, saying, “This is a very tough situation… but just understand, we do not want this to happen to anyone else. We’re here to raise public awareness and go from there.”
Jaysen’s mother, Ebony, wore her son’s all-state champion headband in his honor. She shared that if they had known about the risks of swimming in the lake, they would never have allowed Jaysen to jump into the water. “So we definitely want the public to know that there are major risks swimming in Lake Murray and any other body of water,” she said. “There needs to definitely be some awareness about it, and we don’t want his death to be in vain because had we known, he wouldn’t have been in it.”
How to Protect Yourself
The CDC recommends that swimmers take precautions when swimming in freshwater bodies to reduce the risk of infection. These include holding your nose or wearing a nose clip when diving or jumping into the water, and keeping your head above water in hot springs. If you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, stiff neck, seizures, severe headaches, altered mental state, or hallucinations after swimming in freshwater, seek medical attention immediately.
A GoFundMe to Help the Family
A GoFundMe page has been created in memory of Jaysen Carr, describing him as “an incredible son, a devoted brother, and a true friend to everyone who knew him.” The page notes that Jaysen’s strength and spirit inspired those around him, and his family now faces significant financial burdens due to this unexpected tragedy. At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised over $58,000 to help the family with medical and funeral expenses.
Rest in Peace, Jaysen Carr
As the Carr family navigates this unimaginable loss, they hope that raising awareness about this rare infection will help prevent future tragedies. Rest in peace, Jaysen.
