‘Be wary’: A family’s loss becomes a tale of caution as Massachusetts man dies after his ‘brain had blown up’

In a devastating and shocking incident, the Boyce family of Massachusetts is left grappling with an unimaginable loss after 62-year-old Kevin Boyce died suddenly from a rare tick-borne illness.

What started as a mild headache and nausea spiraled into a medical nightmare, ultimately revealing a terrifying diagnosis: Powassan virus, a rare but increasingly prevalent threat in the region. Boyce’s family is now speaking out about the tragedy to inform the public about the risk.

A healthy man, a sudden collapse

Boyce, who had no major health issues, began feeling sick in mid-April 2024. His symptoms rapidly escalated to confusion and vomiting. Within two days, he collapsed at his home. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital fought to save him, but the damage had already been done. The virus had caused catastrophic swelling in his brain.

“His brain had blown up so much, from the encephalitis, and he had really bad brain damage,” Kevin’s sister, Erin Boyce, told CBS News. “It was horrifying, but we knew what Kevin would want, so you know, we just had to let him go,” Erin said.

Kevin remained in a coma for nearly two weeks before his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove life support. What they didn’t know—what most people still don’t—is that the culprit was an almost invisible threat: a tick, no larger than a poppy seed, carrying one of the deadliest viruses found in North America.

Powassan virus: a growing problem

The Boyce family’s tragedy is not an isolated incident. Cases of the Powassan virus in Massachusetts have been steadily rising. In 2024 alone, 12 of the 54 total reported U.S. cases were in Massachusetts. From 2013 to 2023, the state confirmed 61 infections. With warming climates and growing tick populations, health experts warn the virus could become even more prevalent in the coming years.

The Powassan virus is not well known to the public, but its impact is as lethal as it is swift. Unlike Lyme disease, which typically requires a tick to remain attached for at least 24 hours, Powassan can be transmitted in just 15 minutes.

Once inside the body, the virus targets the central nervous system, causing brain inflammation, seizures, and in many cases, permanent neurological damage or death. There is no treatment, no cure, and no vaccine.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, approximately 10% of severe Powassan virus cases are fatal, and nearly half of survivors are left with long-term complications ranging from memory loss to paralysis.

Powassan mimics the flu

Ticks carrying Powassan virus are most active from late spring through early fall, especially in wooded and grassy areas. Yet many residents remain unaware of the risk. What makes Powassan particularly dangerous is its stealth. It mimics the flu at first—fever, fatigue, nausea—until it rapidly turns life-threatening. For Kevin, by the time anyone realized what was happening, it was far too late.

The Boyce family message is clear: this can happen to anyone. A short hike in the woods, a moment in tall grass, even a backyard garden, can become the setting for a fatal encounter with a tick. The family wants others to understand how easily their nightmare could have been someone else’s—and how crucial awareness and early detection are.