Michigan Boy, 13, Dies After Sinus Infection Reaches His Brain

A 13-year-old Michigan boy who complained of cold symptoms and a headache died after an MRI conducted weeks later revealed that a sinus infection had traveled to the boy's brain. The boy, Marquel Brumley, passed away on Sunday.

Brumley's relative, Peggy Gilbert, told local news channel WNEM that Brumley was diagnosed with a viral infection. Brumley received the diagnosis after going to an urgent care clinic in February, complaining of cold symptoms and a headache. Gilbert said the boy was told the infection would "run its course."

Gilbert told WNEM that Brumley started to have migraines and visited several emergency rooms with no resolution.

According to a GoFundMe page established to pay for Brumley's funeral, he was rushed to the ER last week in severe pain. An MRI showed that a sinus infection had reached his brain and caused blood clots that resulted in multiple strokes.

People Magazine reported that Brumley's migraines intensified so much, his face was swollen and he lost muscle movement in the left side of his face.

Brumley was taken to Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and rushed into surgery. Brumley died last weekend.

The family is heartbroken but Brumley's donated organs apparently saved 7 lives, according to the GoFundMe page. His family is taking comfort in that.

“He was a football player, played the trumpet in the band, you couldn’t find flaws with the kid,” Brumley's aunt, Nicole Alexander, told People. “He was really helpful. He loved helping people and always had a smile on his face. His daily goal was to make everybody smile.”

Image via GoFundMe. Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.