'We Are Beyond Devastated,' Reads Tripp Halstead's Mom's Message

JEFFERSON, GA — Tripp Halstead, the Jefferson boy whose family garnered support from across the Atlanta area five years ago when he suffered a serious brain injury from a falling tree branch that struck him, died Thursday.

"We love you Trippadoo and you will never realize the impact you made on our lives," Tripp's mom, Stacey Halstead, posted on Facebook Thursday.

He was 2 at the time of the accident, when his family lived in Winder, and was 7 at the time of his death. The accident left Tripp in a coma for weeks, in a hospital for months, and in need of special care in the years since.

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The boy's father, Bill Halstead, confirmed his son's death Thursday night to Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Tripp's mother has kept friends, family, supporters and others updated on their son's journey through the Tripp Halstead Updates Facebook page. She has chronicled his medical ups and downs, and routine events like going to school or out with his family.

Here's what she posted on the page after her son's death:

"There are no words to express how Bill and I are feeling at this moment. We are beyond devastated and honestly I believe I am in shock. Our amazing, perfect, beautiful miracle of a son, Tripp Hughes Halstead passed away at 5:47 pm today. He was our whole world.

"We love you Trippadoo and you will never realize the impact you made on our lives.

"I have no idea when I will post again. I’m still processing everything. But Bill and I were in the room when he passed at the hospital. His little body was just done fighting this last infection. His little heart gave out. This winter was brutal for him. I’m just so thankful he had the best summer ever. Jet skis, Disney World, the list is endless and that’s when we got those amazing huge smiles.

"At this time, I will not be reading the comments but your welcome to leave them for me to read in the coming weeks.

"You have been the most loyal and outstanding followers we could have ever asked for and We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the past 5 1/2 years. You let us into your lives and You were there when we needed you most.

"Love, Bill and Stacy"

Patch file photo of Tripp Halstead from 2013