Millbury boy dies of E. coli-related disease

MILLBURY, Mass. (WHDH) -- Health officials said a 6-year-old boy died from E. coli.

Owen Carrignan passed away on May 26 from complications of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a disease associated with E. coli infection. His funeral was held on Thursday in Millbury.

“It should never happen, you know? A 6-year-old boy full of life,” said Todd Carrignan, Owen’s uncle.

Owen Carrignan was a healthy, active boy. He played soccer on Saturday, and a few days later, he was dead.

“They brought him to the hospital on Monday and it just progressively got worse from there,” said Todd Carrignan.

According to the State Department of Public Health, Owen died from an E. coli infection -- most likely from something he ate.

“We can’t think of anything he ate that the rest of the kids didn’t eat. And why it would just affect him, I don’t know. But we have no idea,” Todd Carrignan said.

According to the DPH, it is an isolated incident, but the investigation is ongoing.

“I was absolutely devastated to think that that would happen in this day and age, and so quickly. And such a precious little boy,” said Lynne Francolini, a neighbor.

Owen’s family is starting a scholarship in his name at a local credit union.