NBA coach's grandson dies aged 2 in "agonising tragedy" as investigation begins

26 July 2023 , 17:56

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Adrian Griffin's grandson tragically passed away aged 2 (Image: Getty Images)

The grandson of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin died on Saturday, after being found unresponsive.

Jayce D. Griffin was pronounced dead at 10:40am on Saturday at the Carle Foundation Hospital by Champaign County coroner Duane Northrup. The two-year-old's death is under investigation, but early reports from an autopsy conducted on Monday show that there is no evidence of trauma or foul play.

"My grandson Jayce was very special to me and my family, and his passing is an agonising tragedy that will be felt forever," Griffin said in a statement released by the Bucks. "I appreciate your respecting our family’s grief and privacy at this time."

Additional information won’t be released for now, but Northup did release a statement on the matter. "At this time, the death of Jayce Griffin appears to be from natural causes pending additional testing and final autopsy results," Northrup said.

"Additional information will not be released until completion of this investigation. This death is under investigation by the Champaign Police Department and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office."

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Jayce's mom, Jasmine Riggs, spoke with WDJT Milwaukee and revealed that doctors found fluid in her son's lungs. Riggs was told that there were no fears of a serious illness, just days before Jayce died.

"I took him to the convenient care," Riggs said. "He was running around, they said he was fine, and was all happy and healthy. The next day I took him to day care."

Griffin recently became head coach of the Millwaukee Bucks

Riggs then got a call no mother ever wants to receive, and she was informed that Jayce had stopped breathing and had been taken to hospital. "I got to the hospital and my baby was already gone," Riggs added.

"I knew he was gone; I just didn't want to hear it and I didn't want to accept it." The Griffin family has entered a period of mourning, and the coach will be fully supported by the Bucks.

Griffin arrived from the Toronto Raptors after the Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer at the end of last season. Griffin acted as an assistant to Nick Nurse with the Raptors but both coaches have since left the franchise.

Nurse joined the Philadelphia 76ers as he replaced Doc Rivers, and Griffin has been given a chance as head coach after 15 years as an assistant. Griffin's first coaching role in the NBA was with the Bucks, and they've brought him back to try and win another championship.

Joseph McBride