Colton Murray, the 23-month old who won the hearts of millions, passed away Saturday morning.
Colton, who rose to fame as an ambassador for children with Down Syndrome and the families who love them, died early Saturday morning at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
‘Very early this morning, he passed away in my arms,’ his mother, Kim Murray, wrote on Colton’s Facebook page titled ‘ColtonStrong’.
‘Thank you all so so much for praying for our little boy,’ she said. ‘Last Christmas morning when he crashed, I asked for a miracle, and I got one. Then he continued to defy the odds for so long. We are so so very proud of him. His strength was amazing.’
Colton’s parents only discovered that he had Down Syndrome shortly after his birth in December 2015, it was discovered he had Down Syndrome (Pictured, Colton held in last picture with his mother)
Colton Murray, the 23-month old (left and right) who won the hearts of millions, passed away Saturday morning at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. He rose to fame as an ambassador for children with Down Syndrome and the families who love them
His mother added that Colton’s Facebook page will stay up as a place to share memories.
His mother added that Colton’s Facebook page will stay up as a place to share memories.
Later Saturday, Terre Haute Chief of Police John Plasse offered words of support to the family in a message to the Tribune-Star:
‘I would ask that people keep the Murray family in their thoughts and prayers as they deal with the tragic loss of Colton.
‘Colton touched the lives of thousands of people in his short life and inspired many during his courageous battle. Our world is a little less brighter today without Colton in it. #ColtonStrong.’
Colton’s parents only discovered that he had Down Syndrome shortly after his birth in December 2015, it was discovered he had Down Syndrome.
Colton also had one, instead of two, heart ventricles. Heart defects are common with a Down Syndrome diagnosis, although a single ventricle is rare.
Surgeries, including open-heart surgery, would follow but to no avail. According to the Murrays’ Facebook post, Colton had to receive an emergency breathing tube before his death.
Colton (held in last picture with his mother) also had one, instead of two, heart ventricles. Heart defects are common with a Down Syndrome diagnosis, although a single ventricle is rare. Surgeries, including open-heart surgery, would follow but to no avail
A photo of Colton was one of about 500 selected from the more than 2,000 submitted for a video in Times Square that helps kick off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October
He went on to appear in the National Down Syndrome Society’s annual Times Square video presentation that helps kick off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. He also appears in ‘Meet Colton,’ a Riley Children’s Hospital social media video.
A photo of Colton was one of about 500 selected from the more than 2,000 submitted for the video in Times Square.
Kim Murray snapped the picture of Colton at the Terre Haute Buddy Walk in May, saying the combo of his glasses, bow tie and T-shirt that reads ‘Homie with an Extra Chromie’ was ‘just too cute.’
Colton’s is survived by his brother Hayden, his mother and his father, Matt, a Terre Haute police officer.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning at Maryland Community Church.
In lieu of flowers, the Murray family has asked that contributions be made to the Riley Children’s Foundation.