Milwaukee Bucks Coach Adrian Griffin Confirms Death of Toddler Grandson

Carly Silva
·2 min read

NBA coach Adrian Griffin is grieving the tragic death of a beloved member of his family.

The head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks confirmed on Monday that his 2-year-old grandson Jayce Griffin died over the weekend in Urbana, Illinois.

"My grandson Jayce was very special to me and my family, and his passing is an agonizing tragedy that will be felt forever," the coach, 49, noted in a statement. "I appreciate your respecting our family's grief and privacy at this time."

It's said the toddler was found unresponsive by his father, Alan Griffin, early on Saturday, July 22, and was pronounced dead at 10:40 a.m. while at the Carle Foundation Hospital. According to a report from the Champaign County coroner's office obtained by PEOPLE, there has been no evidence of trauma or foul play.

"At this time, the death of Jayce Griffin appears to be from natural causes pending additional testing and final autopsy results," the coroner said in the statement.

Jayce's mom, Jasmine Riggs told CBS58 that the toddler had been sick a few days before his death, as he had developed what appeared to be a run-of-the-mill respiratory infection.

"I took him to the convenient care. He was running around, they said he was fine, was all happy and healthy. The next day I took him to day care," Riggs explained, noting that by Thursday, Jayce "was acting normal with no signs of distress."

But things took a turn for the worse on Saturday morning, when the child was found unresponsive and taken to the hospital.

"When the paramedics got there it was already too late," Riggs said. "I got to the hospital—Jayce was at the hospital—I got to the hospital, and my baby was already gone. I knew he was gone; I just didn't want to hear it and I didn't want to accept it."

It has not yet been revealed what exactly caused the toddler's sudden passing, and the Champaign Police Department is still reviewing the circumstances of the case.

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