Former BYU RB’s Wife Breaks Silence on Toddler’s Tragic Death
A Family’s Heartbreak: Former BYU Star Curtis Brown and Wife Kim Mourn Their 2-Year-Old Son Haze
What Happened
Important Point: This is a story about a real family experiencing an unimaginable loss. While the details are sad, it’s also a story about love, community, and how people come together during the darkest times.
On July 26, a terrible accident happened at the Brown family’s home in Clovis, California (a suburb of Fresno). Their youngest child, 2-year-old Haze, drowned in the family’s swimming pool.
Three weeks later, on a Friday in mid-August, Haze’s mother Kim Brown shared her grief publicly on Instagram. Her raw, honest post touched thousands of hearts and was picked up by national news outlets like People Magazine and Us Magazine.
About the Brown Family
The Browns are a family of seven living in Clovis, California:
| Family Member | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Curtis Brown | Dad | Former BYU football star; works in pharmaceutical sales |
| Kim Brown | Mom | Works as a nurse |
| Trey | Oldest son | 12 years old |
| Cruze, Kash & Julie | Triplets | Middle children |
| Haze | Youngest son | 2 years old (passed away July 26) |
Quick Facts:
- Kim’s cousin, Chandler Pearson, set up a GoFundMe to help the family
- The fundraiser has raised over $100,000 for funeral costs and family support
- The family was in Provo, Utah (home of BYU) just days before the tragedy
Haze: Their "Miracle Baby"
Haze wasn’t just the youngest — he was deeply longed for.
Important Point: Kim and Curtis struggled with fertility issues (difficulty getting pregnant). After "much prayer and fasting" and medical intervention, Haze arrived. His cousin Chandler called him their "miracle baby."
Kim described Haze as their "bright light and source of pure joy." At this time of year, he would have been:
- Hugging his siblings when they came home from school
- Cheering them on at their sports games
- Stealing sips of Kim’s Diet Coke
- Shooting baskets on his little hoop
- Making life "better and brighter simply by being him"
Kim’s Heartbreaking Instagram Post
Kim posted from "the floor of his room, surrounded by his things" — his clothes, basketball hoop, blanket. She wrote:
"I keep expecting to hear him. To see those soft curls bouncing as he runs. To hear his little laugh. To squeeze him tight. To kiss his cheeks. To tell him I love him. And then I remember."
She also shared something profound about grief:
"People say they wish they could have one more day with the person they lost. But I don’t want one more day. I want forever. … I want all the days back. I want my baby back."
The response was overwhelming:
- 11,000+ likes
- 1,100+ comments
- Covered by People Magazine, Us Magazine, and other national outlets
Curtis Brown’s BYU Legacy
Curtis isn’t just a grieving father — he’s a BYU football legend.
His stats (2002–2006):
- 4 seasons at BYU
- Leading rusher in school history — 3,193 yards
- Native of Palmdale, California
Just days before the tragedy (August 7):
The Brown family visited BYU as guests of the football team during practice. Curtis spoke to the players with a powerful message.
Curtis’s Message to BYU Players
Curtis stood before the team and said:
"There is no place like this in the country. This is a special place. The relationships and the bonds and the family you create here is like nothing else. … Family is all you got, and this includes (your teammates and coaches)."
He shared how dozens of former teammates — guys he hadn’t talked to since graduation — reached out after Haze passed.
"And to me, it was just like yesterday when we were in the locker room together. And I know Haze is smiling down on us right now. I will tell you, the love you guys have and have built for each other, it will never go away."
Community Support: The GoFundMe
Chandler Pearson (Kim’s cousin) created a GoFundMe titled "Support for the Brown Family After Tragedy."
What the funds cover:
- Funeral expenses
- Financial support while the family grieves and can’t work
- Any other needs as they navigate this loss
Current status: $100,000+ raised from thousands of donors — strangers, friends, BYU alumni, and complete strangers moved by their story.
Important Points to Remember
- Drowning is silent and fast — it can happen in seconds, even with adults nearby
- Pool safety saves lives: fences, alarms, swim lessons, and constant supervision
- Grief has no timeline — Kim’s words show it "physically hurts" and feels impossible to survive
- Community matters — the $100K+ raised shows how many people care
- Former teammates showing up proves Curtis’s point: the bonds you build last forever
Summary
| Who | Curtis Brown (former BYU RB) & Kim Brown (nurse) |
|---|---|
| What | Lost their 2-year-old son Haze to drowning |
| When | July 26 (accident) → Mid-August (Kim’s public post) |
| Where | Clovis, California (Fresno suburb) |
| Family | 5 kids total: Trey (12), triplets Cruze/Kash/Julie, Haze (deceased) |
| Special Detail | Haze was a "miracle baby" after fertility struggles |
| Support | GoFundMe > $100K; national media coverage; BYU community outreach |
| Curtis’s Message | "Family is all you got" — bonds last decades |
FAQ
How old was Haze when he passed away?
Haze was 2 years old — the youngest of five children.
What made Haze a "miracle baby"?
Kim and Curtis faced fertility challenges. After "much prayer and fasting" and medical help, Haze was born. His cousin Chandler Pearson shared this detail with the Deseret News.
What does Curtis Brown do now?
After his football career (2002–2006 at BYU, where he set the school rushing record of 3,193 yards), Curtis works in pharmaceutical sales. The family lives in Clovis, California.
How can people help the Brown family?
A GoFundMe organized by Kim’s cousin Chandler Pearson has raised over $100,000 for funeral costs and family support. You can find it by searching "Support for the Brown Family After Tragedy" on GoFundMe.
What did Curtis tell the BYU football team?
He spoke about family, brotherhood, and lasting bonds — how former teammates he hadn’t spoken to in years reached out after Haze’s death. He said: "The love you guys have and have built for each other, it will never go away."
If you or someone you know is grieving, remember: you don’t have to carry it alone. Reach out to friends, family, or a counselor. And if you have a pool — please check your safety barriers today.