Fayetteville and Raeford, North Carolina, are mourning the death of Wyatt David Duchon, a 20-year-old swimmer, youth coach, and former student of Fayetteville Academy whose death has left his family, friends, and young athletes struggling with an enormous loss. Wyatt died on Sunday, November 1, 2026, just months after celebrating his 20th birthday. Those who knew him remember a young man whose infectious laugh, warm smile, and easygoing personality made people feel comfortable around him.
Born on May 21, 2006, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wyatt was the son of Mathew and Jessica Duchon and the twin brother of Riley Duchon. His family described him as someone who never needed to pretend to be somebody else. He had a natural way of making people feel accepted, whether they were longtime friends or people he had just met.
Wyatt’s family moved to Raeford, where he continued his education at Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville. He graduated in 2024 before attending East Carolina University for one year. During his school years, he developed a strong interest in athletics, especially swimming, cross-country running, track, and triathlons.
Swimming became one of the biggest parts of his life. During his senior year at Fayetteville Academy, Wyatt earned Co-Male Swimmer of the Year honors. He also finished second in the All-Conference cross-country competition. His interest in sports extended beyond school competitions, and he took part in several sprint triathlons, earning first- and second-place finishes in his age group.
But Wyatt eventually found another way to enjoy the sport he loved. After swimming with the Fort Bragg Fighting Fish during high school, he obtained his lifeguard certification and worked his way up to become the team’s head coach. He spent his time helping young swimmers between the ages of five and eighteen improve their skills, build confidence, and enjoy being in the water.
He also occasionally helped coach the Masters swimming program, working with adult swimmers. His willingness to connect with people of different ages was part of what made him such a memorable coach. For Wyatt, coaching was about more than swimming times and competition. He enjoyed encouraging others and helping them discover what they could accomplish.
Away from the pool, Wyatt enjoyed basketball, sand volleyball, loud music, dancing, tattoos, and spending time with friends and family. He had recently developed an interest in sand volleyball after friends introduced him to the sport. What started as another activity soon became something he looked forward to several times a week.
His relationship with his twin sister, Riley, held a special place in his life. The two shared countless moments of laughter, teasing, and fun. They also made twin dance videos together, with Riley often coming up with the ideas and Wyatt joining in to make her happy. Those memories are now among the moments his family will hold close.
Wyatt was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather, Kenneth Goss, known as Papa Ken, his great-grandmother Martha Duchon, and his great-aunt and great-uncle, Diana Neely and Scott Neely. He leaves behind his parents, Mathew and Jessica; his twin sister, Riley; his grandparents; extended family members; and many friends whose lives he touched.
His family has announced visitation for Sunday, November 8, at Rogers & Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The first visitation will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by another from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, November 9, at 11 a.m. at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville.
Wyatt was only 20, but the memories he leaves behind stretch across his family, school, sports teams, friendships, and the young swimmers he helped coach. For those who knew him, his absence means losing someone who could make an ordinary day more enjoyable simply by being around. His family, friends, and everyone who shared a part of his life now have the difficult task of learning to live without his laughter.