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Grayson Smiley-Arroyo, the son of former Orange County Real Housewives star Slade Smiley, has passed away. He was 22.
Grayson’s mother, Michelle Arroyo, shared the tragic news of her son’s death via Instagram on Tuesday night (Feb. 7). On Sunday, she disclosed that Grayson, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006, had passed away (Feb. 5).
She explained, “It was very unexpected as last week he had CSF drawn from his shunts and the valve setting of his shunt was adjusted, and he was doing much better.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, cerebrospinal fluid is “fluid that flows through and around the brain and spinal cord’s hollow spaces.”
Grayson was “still struggling” with additional health difficulties despite his recovery. Michelle stated, “His heart stopped at home, and I administered chest compressions until the paramedics arrived and took over.”
Grayson “looked good” and was “breathing on his own” as he departed with the paramedics, according to Michelle. Nevertheless, “his heart failed again” at the hospital.
“I don’t have all the answers right now, but I do know that the last few months of fevers, illness, and low potassium have most certainly affected my darling boy’s heart. “I’m still in shock and going through the motions of handling all the details,” she said, adding, “I know Gray is playing cards with his grandmother and Trouble with our dear Diane. His dog Mo is by his side as he has never abandoned him.”
Meanwhile, Slade’s 13-year partner and RHOC alum Gretchen Rossi, with whom he shares a 3-year-old daughter named Skylar Gray, posted a tribute to her stepson on Instagram.
“Our rational minds warned us that this day might come, but our hearts always clung to the hope that it would not,” she captioned a slideshow of adorable photographs. We are completely crushed and heartbroken by Gray’s passing.
Rossi recalled Grayson as a “angel on earth” and a “incredible warrior” before lauding him as a “true beacon of light and hope.”
Even during his lengthy struggle with cancer, the reality star added, “Every day he fought through his pain and discomfort to find happiness in the tiniest of things. Despite his surroundings, he was always singing, dancing, and laughing.
Rossi, who stated that she is “grateful” for the “many lessons” she gained from Grayson, continued, “Although his life on earth was cut short, he had a profound effect on so many others. The Lord knew that his existence had a purpose and that he would influence many others along the road.”
She closed her post with the following: “May the Lord hold him in his hands, heal his damaged body, and grant him fresh life. This is not farewell, but rather see you soon, tiny man…… We cherish you, Grayson. You will be in our hearts forever.”
»Slade Smiley’s Son Grayson Dies at 22: “We’re Heartbroken”«