FT. MYERS, Fla. – A Southwest Florida community celebrated the life of a 12-year-boy who died from a rare brain-eating infection. Nearly a thousand people attended the funeral for Zachary Reyna at a middle school near Fort Myers.
Reyna died from an amoeba that entered his body while he was playing in the water near his home.
Relative Dave Reyna says, "It's awesome and amazing how people came together to support him."
Through social media, his fight for life touched people nation-wide.
"It's amazing that so many people have a tender place in their hearts for such suffering," says Captain Susan Harrelle with the Hendry County Sheriff's Office. "It touches all of us and this family emotionally."
Zachary was later buried at Fort Denaud Cemetery.