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8-year-old Jefferson County boy dies suddenly Halloween night

Out of the tragedy comes the kind of community effort small towns are known for.
Kayleb Briggs died suddenly Tuesday, October 31st of what his mother called "a massive asthma attack."

People in a Jefferson County town are trying to process the sudden death of an 8-year-old child. But out of the tragedy comes the kind of community effort small towns are known for.

Friday morning at Hillsboro Primary School began with a balloon release as students and teachers said goodbye to a second-grader who was one-of-a-kind.

Those who knew Kayleb Briggs describe him as a fun-loving kid who instantly made friends out of total strangers.

“We would go places and they would call ‘Kayleb, Kayleb!’ and we didn't know the people. But he knew the people and they knew him,” said Kayleb’s grandmother, Marian Alexander.

“If you were sad he could just tell and he would try to cheer you up and just be there for you,” added kayleb’s aunt, Bailey Alexander.

Kayleb was diagnosed with asthma at just six months old. He joined the 1 in 5 kids in the St. Louis area who are diagnosed with the condition every year according to the asthma and allergy foundation of America.

After coming home from trick-or-treating with friends Tuesday night, Kayleb suffered what his family calls a massive asthma attack. It was so severe even nebulizers, an emergency inhaler and countless rounds of desperate CPR by his mother couldn't stop the attack from claiming Kayleb’s life.

“I’ve been in nursing over 30 years,” said Marian Alexander. “I never, ever would've thought a child could die that quickly of an asthma attack. And so, I think people need to know that.”

Kayleb’s sudden death has family and friends wondering "why?" Hillsboro schools brought in grief counselors to help classmates and teachers deal with the loss.

But out of the tragedy has come a grass-roots effort to help a grieving family through their heartache. After just one day a GoFundMe page to pay for Kayleb’s funeral topped $11,500. And Cub Scout Pack 406 in Hillsboro started a memorial fund and a meal chain to provide home-cooked food for Kayleb’s family.

“You want to give them the best funeral. You want to be able to do everything you can. And when you don't have life insurance and you don't have money to do that it is a horrible burden,” said den leader Tammy Valencia. “when we heard what happened we just knew we had to do something.”

As the balloons climbed to the heavens Friday morning, Kayleb's family knew he was looking down with a smile. And they hope his legacy lives on in the spirit of kindness shown by his community.

“Nothing will bring him back,” said Bailey Alexander. “But our entire family just wants to say how incredibly grateful we are for our entire community.”

Kayleb Briggs's visitation will be held Saturday, November 11th at the Hillsboro Civic Center from 9:30 to noon. Anyone who wishes to say goodbye to Kayleb is welcome to attend.

Anyone wishing to help with the meal chain for Kayleb’s family can contact Pack 406 at pack406rocks@gmail.com.

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