'Just A Good Soul': Family, Community Mourn New Lenox Teen After Death From Rare Condition

NEW LENOX, IL — If Brennen Saele could see how his community is showing its love for him, he'd likely flash that bright white smile that was the envy of many.

The death of the Lincoln-Way Central senior, 17, has sparked an outpouring of compassion and support across his hometown—evident in red ribbons tied around trees lining the streets.

Saele died Sept. 19 after suffering from a rare condition that rendered him fragile in some ways—and resilient in others. Like his mother Genesis, Brennen was diagnosed with vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS), a rare, severe and life-threatening genetic disorder that causes blood vessels and internal organs to become fragile and prone to tearing or rupturing.

It was a condition he'd had his whole life, Genesis Saele said, but only discovered two years ago following genetic testing after her own diagnosis.

"... I was the one who got tested first, and found out that I had it," she said. "It was 50/50 chance. He lived with it for 17 years, but didn’t know he had it until 15."

One of 14 types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the vascular kind is considered among the most rare and severe, Saele said. It affects connective tissue, rendering blood vessels and organs fragile and prone to tears and aneurysms.

"He had to watch what he did—any jarring of the body, sneezing too hard, coughing too hard, hitting himself if he fell on the ground—it could rupture something inside of him, and he would never know until he was in pain," Saele said.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome overall is a rare condition, only affecting 1 in 5,000 people. The vascular type of this condition is even rarer, with only 1 case per 200,000 to 250,000 people, Cleveland Clinic reports. While Brennen made some adjustments to keep himself safe, he also was also obstinate that he'd live his life to the fullest.

"His exact words to me, when we told him, 'I’m living my life the way I want to live it,'" Saele said. "He knew he had to take caution with things, but he wasn’t going to let him stop living his life."

Prior to his diagnosis, Saele had feared Brennen might be likely to have the condition after repairs to a dislocated shoulder wouldn't take. Brennen had been practicing with the Lincoln-Way Central football team when his shoulder dislocated, she said.

"... Leading up to the testing, he had three shoulder surgeries within a year because his shoulder kept dislocating," Saele said. "They didn’t understand why that kept happening. They said the tissue in that shoulder was so fragile."

It took three surgery attempts for the repair to be successful, she said. The tissue's weakness was indicative of the condition.

"As you get older the symptoms begin to present themselves." Saele said. "We don’t produce the collagen that keeps the tissue strong."

His family did not expect that at such a young age, Brennen would have any incidents related to the condition. Scans taken just eight months before his death had been clear, she said.

The night of Friday, Sept. 18, Brennen complained of pain in his clavicle. On Saturday, Saele took him to the hospital, where doctors found an aneurysm positioned on an artery behind his clavicle. That artery runs up his neck and into his brain, Saele said.

The aneurysm, Saele said, must have formed between October 2025 and September 2026. On Saturday, it ruptured, killing Brennen.

'A little sliver of good'

Brennen died the night of his high school's homecoming dance. Within minutes of hearing the news, his classmates left the celebration to be near their friend and his family.

It was a poignant reflection of how beloved Brennen was, Saele said.

"He was just a good soul," Saele said. "He was the best. I know a mom is going to brag on their child, but there is nothing that I could say about him that was a flaw or 'wrong'—he was just a bright soul."

Brennen's classmates and the community as a whole have poured out love for him and the family. Red ribbons tied around trees, custom "Live Like Brennen" T-shirts to wear at the team's football game—even a whole week of themed school activities dedicated to what Brennen loved, Saele said.

Each day's theme showed a piece of Brennen: Red Day on Monday, recognizing the vascular aspect of his condition; Jersey Day on Tuesday (because he loved wearing jerseys); Favorite Music Day on Wednesday; Patriotic Day on Thursday—because Brennen loved the Fourth of July. Then 500 red ribbons to be handed out at the team's football game.

"A little bit of an impact," Saele said of how highly regarded he was. "My boy was so loved. I know he’s looking down and saying, 'This is how cool I was.'

"I know he’s smiling big, because he definitely impacted everyone."

Throughout their town, visual reminders of the love for her son.

"I could see what kind of impact he had on life, because the minute people found out, they started tying the red ribbons," Saele said. "Everyone grabbed red ribbons, tied it all over the trees."

The support is stunning amid the family's loss.

"This community has really truly come together and are supporting us tremendously," Saele said. "A little sliver of good."

'No one was left out'

Despite the challenges his condition posed, Brennen was a happy kid, Saele said, and one who held his family and friends close.

"He was always smiling; you never saw him without a smile," she said. "This sounds so silly, but people were jealous of his teeth because they were so straight, he had the whitest teeth EVER.

In the days since his death the recollections about him have been touching, she said.

"He was always smiling—everything they’re saying is his smile and his laugh—you couldn’t help but be happy that you were around him, because he was just overall the happiest person ever," she said. "He loved his friends and family. You wouldn’t catch him without a family member or a friend, or his girlfriend at all times. He included everybody. No one was left out."

Brennen had been with the same girlfriend since the summer going into freshman year, and Anika Gaydos became part of the family, including Brennen's brother Landen and parents Genesis and Michael.

At Lincoln-Way Central he was a Peer Buddy with the Best Buddies Program.

"He had a heart that was impossible to miss," his family wrote in his obituary. "Brennen loved deeply and loved hard. He had a way of making people feel welcome, cared for, and loved simply by being himself.

"Brennen cherished his family and friends and treasured the time he spent with the people he loved. He loved being surrounded by the people who meant the most to him. He was the kind of person who gave so much of himself to others, and the love he shared will remain in the hearts of everyone who knew him."

Brennen had college plans and had been accepted to Western, Northeastern and Southern Illinois universities, as well as Illinois State. His ultimate goal, though, had been to attend Florida Atlantic University, where he planned to purse a nursing degree.

As he worked toward his goals, he was employed at New Lenox mainstay Gatto's, as well as Hog Wild.

He'd done a little bit of everything at Hog Wild, Saele said, from cashier to bussing tables, which he "absolutely loved." He had recently been promoted and earned a raise and was learning the ropes of being a cook in the kitchen.

"You can’t be a cook until you’re 18," Saele said. "He was going to be 18 in December."

The restaurant paid tribute to Brennen on social media, as well as donating food for the visitation.

"Brennen, you will always be remembered for your kindness, strong work ethic, enthusiasm, beautiful smile, and unforgettable presence," they said. "You were a wonderful example to everyone around you and brought so much happiness wherever you went.

"Your life ended far too soon, and it is heartbreaking to believe we will no longer see your smile or hear your laughter. Although you were young, you touched so many lives and left behind memories that will be cherished forever. You will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in our hearts. Rest in peace, sweet angel."

Support for the family reaches across social media, with the hashtag #saelestrong.

"Gen is part of our team, and her family is part of ours," shared Country Club Social, where Genesis Saele works. "We hope you’ll join us at Country Club Social as our community comes together to show them love and support."

Businesses are finding ways to show their support, with Gatto's donating the space and food for the funeral luncheon. Orangetheory Fitness in New Lenox is offering donation-based classes Friday, Oct. 2, with proceeds going to the Saele family.

Neighboring Lincoln-Way West noted on social media that though Brennen attended Lincoln-Way Central, "our entire community is mourning Brennen."

Live Like Brennen shirts—with Saele Strong on the back—are for sale through Friday night "to celebrate his life and surround the Saele family with love and support."

Shirts are $20, with $5 from every shirt sold going directly back to the Saele family with love and support. Adult 2-XL shirts are $22.50. Orders close Friday, Sept. 25, at 11:59 p.m.

The shirts are meant to be worn to the Lincoln-Way Central football team's next home game on Oct. 2, vs. Lincoln-Way East. As of Thursday, Saele said 1,500 shirts had been sold.

"Our hope is that these shirts become more than something we wear," the organizers wrote. "They are a way to honor Brennen's precious life, carry his memory, and show the Saele family just how many people are standing beside them.

"We are asking everyone who purchases a shirt to wear it to next Friday's home football game against Lincoln-Way East, filling the stands with red in honor of Brennen and showing the Saele family just how loved and supported they are."

A meal train started for the family has quickly filled, with an additional $40,000 also raised.

"People are just doing everything," Saele said in appreciation.

"My husband’s a police officer, and another department 30 minutes away from his made bracelets they’re passing out that say 'Forever 17' and 'Live like Brennen.'"

The Saele home has rarely been empty in the days since Brennen's death, Genesis said, with a steady stream of Brennen's classmates and friends filing in.

"All these kids at my house every single day since Saturday," she remarked. "Kids hanging out in his room, taking his brother out."

Saele said her son's death is deeply felt by all who knew him.

"A good person this world definitely needed for a lot longer than 17 years," she said.

Visitation for Brennen is set for Sunday, Sept. 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd. Funeral Mass is on Monday, Sept. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 241 W. 2nd Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Brennen’s memory to one of two organizations that hold special meaning to our family: The Marfan Foundation, which supports individuals and families affected by genetic conditions, including Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS), the condition Brennen lived with; or the Best Buddies Program at Lincoln-Way Central High School, which promotes friendship, inclusion, and meaningful connections among students.