Kevin Boyce never saw the tiny tick that would upend his life. In April 2024, he dismissed the crushing headaches, bone-deep fatigue, and waves of nausea as a bad flu that would pass with rest. Instead, his symptoms sharpened into something far more sinister. His words tangled. His steps turned unsteady. The easygoing husband, father, and friend began drifting behind a fog his family could not penetrate, no matter how desperately they tried.

When doctors finally named it—Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne infection that can rapidly inflame the brain—the damage was already surging through his nervous system. There was no targeted treatment, no miracle drug to turn back time. Kevin died weeks later, leaving his family shattered but determined. They tell his story so others will pause, check for ticks, listen to their bodies, and seek help fast. Their plea is simple: let Kevin’s loss save someone else.