Credit: Sara Jaye Weiss/StartraksPhoto, Instagram
Grayson Smiley-Arroyo, son of The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Slade Smiley and stepson to former OC Housewife Gretchen Rossi, has passed away at the age of 22.
Grayson was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and bravely fought the disease for years. Unfortunately, heart complications and “unexpected” medical issues caused Grayson’s heart to give out, according to his mother, Michelle Arroyo.
“It was very unexpected as last week he had CSF [cerebrospinal fluid] drawn from his shunts and they adjusted the valve setting of his shunt and he was doing much better,” Michelle said in an Instagram post on Monday evening, revealing Grayson had passed on Sunday.
Michelle continued by saying that she administered CPR to Grayson after his heart stopped beating while they were at home, and she was able to “get it going” before paramedics arrived to transport Grayson to the hospital.
“I performed chest compressions to get it going until the paramedics arrived and took over,” Michelle recalled. “When he left for the hospital, he looked good and was breathing on his own, but his heart gave out again at the hospital.”
Michelle says she’s “still in shock” and “going through the motions” as she tries to come to terms with her son’s passing.
“I don’t have all the answers now, but I do know that the last few months with fevers, infection, and low potassium most likely took a toll on my sweet boy’s heart. I’m still in shock and going through the motions of dealing with all the details,” she said.
Grayson’s stepmom, Gretchen, posted a touching tribute to her “angel on earth” on Instagram, showcasing a carousel of photos of Slade and Grayson throughout the years.
“Our rational minds told us this day might come, but our hearts always held onto the hope that this day would not come to fruition,” Gretchen wrote. “We are beyond devastated and heartbroken over the loss of Gray. Grayson Arroyo-Smiley was such a special human being.”
“He fought every day through his pain and discomfort to find joy in the smallest of things,” the RHOC alum continued. “He was always singing & dancing & laughing despite his circumstances. He was a true beacon of light and hope.”
Gretchen concluded her post by asking for privacy as the family “mourns this unbearable loss.”