A family already devastated by the deaths of two children is now preparing to bury another. Collin Marsh was involved in a serious car accident last Wednesday after suffering a medical episode while driving. He sustained injuries he could not survive and was later declared brain dead. As his relatives struggle with the news, they are also facing a painful reality: this is the third time they have lost one of their children.
The family’s history of loss began on February 27, 2017, when they lost their daughter, Kylie. Three years later, on June 2, 2020, they suffered another devastating blow when their son, Landon, died. Now, Collin’s accident has brought another tragedy into their lives, leaving the family preparing for a third funeral.
For Mickele, the surviving sister, the loss is especially painful. She has been described by a relative as the person who has held the family together through years of grief. But with Collin’s condition, she is now facing the possibility of living without the brothers and sister who shared her childhood and family memories.
Collin’s accident happened last Wednesday when he reportedly suffered a medical episode behind the wheel. The resulting injuries were unsurvivable, and doctors declared him brain dead. His family has not shared further details about what caused the medical episode or the exact circumstances of the crash.
Despite the pain, there is one part of Collin’s story that his relatives say brings them some comfort. He had chosen to become an organ donor. His body is being kept on life support while medical arrangements for the donation are coordinated. His family hopes that his decision will give other people a chance to survive and spend more time with the people they love.
One relative described Collin as having the “sweetest, softest heart.” That description has become an important part of how the family remembers him. Even in the middle of such painful circumstances, his decision to become an organ donor reflects the generosity his loved ones associate with him.
But while the family waits for the donation process to move forward, another difficult responsibility is approaching. They must prepare for another funeral and deal with the costs that come with it. A relative has started a public fundraising appeal to help ease that financial burden, asking people to donate whatever they can or share the appeal with others.
No amount of public support can undo what this family has experienced. Kylie, Landon and now Collin are three children whose absence will be felt by those who loved them. For their parents and Mickele, the road ahead will not be easy. Still, the family hopes that people will help them through this latest loss and that Collin’s final decision will give other families a reason to celebrate a life saved.