Kyzr Willis Memorial Fund Raising $50K for Family

BOSTON, MA—It's that smile, stretched wide to reveal the hint of a gap between two front teeth. You can't help but smile back. Or maybe it's the big, dark eyes gazing guilelessly up into the camera, or the cherubic brown curls framing the little face.

The photo that captures the life of Kyzr Willis has captivated Boston in the days since the seven-year-old's body was found floating off a beach in South Boston, after apparently wandering away from a city-run summer program. Now, his smiling face is the header image of a GoFundMe campaign raising financial support for a grieving family.

The Kyzr Willis Memorial Fund has raised more than $16,000 in the two days since it was posted. It is shooting for a $50,000 goal.

"Anyone who knows the members of this family know that they are all amazing people with huge hearts that are remarkably kind, polite and giving," writes the GoFundMe organizer, Brett O'Brien, of Canton. "It's our time now to give back to this family in their time of sorrow to help put this tragedy behind them."

According to O'Brien's page, the money raised through his GoFundMe site will help the family cover funeral costs. Any additional money raised will go toward covering the cost of college for Willis' surviving borther, Ralph Jr., the page says.

More than 300 people have donated so far. You can find further details on the GoFundMe page here.

A police investigation into Willis' death is ongoing. His body was found in the waters off Carson Beach around 7 p.m. Tuesday, after a desperate search by city police, life guards, state troopers and the coast guard.

The summer drop-in program Willis was part of has been put under review, along with all other city-run summer camps and drop-in services, Mayor Marty Walsh said Wednesday. The executive director of the Curley Community Center in South Boston, which operated the program, has been placed on paid administrative leave as the investigation progresses.

Read More:

• After 7-Year-Old's Death, City-Run Summer Programs Under Review, Facility Director on Leave
• Boy Found Dead After Going Missing From Day Camp

Photo via Boston Police Department