Columbia funeral details announced for 12-year-old Lake Murray amoeba victim

The boy who died from an infection of Naegleria fowleri, often called brain-eating amoeba, was identified Thursday in a press release from the Bailey Law Firm, which has been hired by his family.

Jaysen Carr was a 12-year-old student at Hand Middle School. He died from the infection on July 18, the release said.

Seventh grade social studies teacher Anthony Nelson remembered Carr as a “bright, inquisitive student whose potential shone like a star” in a comment on the child’s online obituary page. 

“Jaysen made me laugh everyday in class and we had this bond where we would copy each other hairstyle then say ‘you are copying me,’ Nelson’s post read.

The family has announced funeral arrangements for Carr. Friday, July 25, they will hold a visitation from 3-7 p.m. at Myers Mortuary and Cremation Service at 2624 Alpine Road in Columbia. On Saturday, there will be a viewing at 1 p.m. and a celebration of life at 2 p.m — those services will be held at Shandon United Methodist Church at 3407 Devine St., and the public are invited to attend, according to an email from the family’s lawyer.

“Jaysen’s family is grieving this unthinkable loss but they are also grateful at the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community,” said a statement included in the release.

“Jaysen’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands for their dedicated care and compassion for him and their entire family,” the statement added.

A GoFundMe online fundraising campaign for the Carr family had brought in almost $40,000 as of Friday morning. 

“Jaysen bravely faced a tough medical battle, and while his strength inspired so many, the journey has left the Carr family with numerous unexpected expenses,” the fundraiser page reads.

The Columbia Fireflies are holding a “Team Jaysen Night” at Segra Park on July 30, with Carr’s father throwing the first pitch, according to an X post from the Dreher High School’s athletics program. That night, also the 20th wedding anniversary of Carr’s parents, Clarence and Ebony Carr, will be a fundraiser for the family. The post encourages attendees to wear blue Dreher shirts or a special Team Jaysen shirt.

Carr’s parents hired attorney Tyler Bailey to conduct an independent investigation of the death, the release read. The State has reached out to Bailey for more information on that investigation.

The state health department confirmed that there was a case of Naegleria fowleri in the Midlands on Tuesday, later revealing that it likely came from Lake Murray.

While the amoeba is commonly found in fresh water, infection is very rare. Only three cases were reported in South Carolina from 2010 to 2022. Infection is almost always fatal. Lake Murray does not present an elevated risk of infection, public health officials said.

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM.