NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel broke the heartbreaking news that his boy Henry, 6, had died.
Henry died on August 9, according to a memorial page on the Texas Children’s Hospital website, yet Engel only broke the devastating news on August 18.
Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard. https://t.co/M8LV8SHv6r pic.twitter.com/21Ja6TOtjH
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) August 18, 2022
He penned on Twitter that their dear son Henry died. He had the most beautiful blue eyes, an easy grin, and a charming laugh. We always surrounded him with affection, which he responded to in spades. Mary and Richard.
Engel, a regular on the TODAY program, revealed his son’s ailment to the public in 2018.
It’s raw and sad and extremely personal, Mary remarked at the time, but perhaps other individuals will see this and feel a little less alone, and they will too.
The parents realized their son was late in reaching his developmental goals, and it wasn’t until several doctor visits that he was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a rare neurological illness with no treatment.
It may be really lonely strolling down the street and seeing other kids behaving normally and knowing that his life and their lives will never be like that, Richard explained.
Engel recalls the time Henry uttered “dada” in 2019.
His wife Mary had been telling Henry he was coming home, Engel wrote in an article, but because of his condition it’s impossible to know what’s seeping in. He still struggles with basic things like picking up a ball with both hands.
As he was singing good morning to Henry and reuniting after a long time away, Engel wrote, he looked at him, locked eye-contact, and uttered, clear as any word, ‘dada.'”
Engel continued to share regular updates about his baby, but one in particular earlier this year raised concerns.
Thank you everyone for all the kind messages, from Henry, our Mr. Handsome. pic.twitter.com/GjlXx3SsRu
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) May 31, 2022
“Sadly, his condition has deteriorated.”
For everyone following Henry’s story, unfortunately he’s taken a turn for the worse. His condition progressed and he’s developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo. pic.twitter.com/7atwNPhJ6q
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) May 31, 2022
As his condition worsened, he got dystonia, or uncontrollable shaking/ rigidity. He remained in the hospital for six weeks, but he is now home and receiving affection from brother Theo, he wrote in May 2022.
In two months, the NBC News correspondent will update his fans on his son’s trip once more, this time with devastating news.
Deepest sympathies have poured in for the Engels, including one from Henry’s neurologist at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute.
“Henry was unique in so many ways.” “From the moment I saw him, his warm and adorable grin, and the way he linked with his eyes, stole my heart,” Dr. Huda Zoghbi, founding director of the Duncan NRI, stated.
His peaceful battle against this dreadful sickness was extraordinary. What is most remarkable is Henry’s influence on so many of them at the Duncan NRI and on our Rett research. They shall continue to make every effort to create remedies. This is how they shall remember him.
Henry, rest in peace angel.
