NBC News' Richard Engel Mourns Death of His 6-Year-Old Son Henry

Richard Engel is mourning the death of his six-year-old son Henry.

The NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent announced the devastating news on Twitter on Thursday (August 18).

“Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard,” he tweeted.

Henry passed away on August 9, less than two months away from his seventh birthday.

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Henry was diagnosed with Rett syndrome as an infant. For those who don’t know, this is a genetic brain disorder that does not yet have a treatment or cure.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke said that the disorder is “characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability.”

Henry‘s doctor Huda Zoghbi wrote, “Henry was special in so many ways. His loving and endearing smile, and the way he connected with his eyes, stole my heart from the time I met him. His quiet fight against this terrible disease was incredible. What is most amazing, however, is the impact Henry had on so many of us at the Duncan NRI and on our Rett research. We will continue to push as hard as possible to develop treatments. This is how we will honor his life.”

We’re sending out thoughts and condolences to the Engel family during this difficult time.