TRAGIC: 13-Year-Old Ohio Boy Who Received New Heart Dies On First Day Of School

Peyton West, the 13-year-old Ohio boy who made news after receiving a new heart in March, collapsed and passed away as he arrived for his first day of school Thursday.

West, who was born with a heart defect, arrived at school with his older brother Thursday morning. When he got out of his brother’s car he collapsed. He had earlier posted a picture to social media on his porch as he was leaving for school.

“We don’t know why. We don’t understand it but we know God has a purpose and Peyton touched so many lives in just his short time here,”

Corey took a photo of Peyton with his backpack on about 15 minutes before he collapsed. He said his son was excited to return to school and skipped an FC Cincinnati game Wednesday night so he could attend an open house at Goshen Middle School.

“He went to bed, no problems. He woke up, no problems being his goofy self,” said Corey West, Peyton’s father. Corey said Peyton was not showing signs of rejection.

Peyton’s younger brother, Nolan, said he misses his brother.

Nolan: “I just wish that he was still alive so we could play and I don’t know if I can sleep by myself, it’s pretty scary when don’t sleep by yourself sometimes when you’re a kid.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.

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