13-year-old dies in a boating accident while vacationing with family: "A parent's worst nightmare"

It was a boating accident that claimed the life of a Massachusetts student last week while she was on a vacation with her family. 13-year-old Cassidy Murray was a middle schooler at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge. She tragically lost her life while on a trip to Aruba, according to ABC affiliate WCVB-TV.

A tribute posted by a local restaurant revealed that the tragedy happened on the final day of the family's holiday. Details about the accident that killed Cassidy has not to been released yet. "It is with broken hearts that we share the news of the tragic passing of our daughter, Cassidy," her devastated family recently shared. "Cassidy's beautiful spirit, genuinely kind heart, bright mind, and joyful zest for life will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her."

"We thank everyone for their love and support and we ask that you please give us the time and space to grieve together privately during this difficult time," continued their statement. Buckingham Browne & Nichols School officials also mourned the seventh grader's sudden passing.

"Our entire BB&N community is profoundly heartbroken as we grieve the loss of Cassidy. She joined our Middle School this fall and immediately created a unique mark on our campus. Cassidy had a special gift for uniting classmates with her smile, laugh, and genuine kindness," read a statement according to Boston 25 News.

"We all hold the Murray family—Linda, David, and Adam—close in our thoughts and hearts. At this moment, as we all struggle to make sense of this tragic news, we need to support each other, and especially Cassidy’s and Adam’s classmates and friends, as we navigate through the complex process of coping with our grief," said Head of School Jennifer Price.

"Her ever-present smile, infectious laugh, and upbeat personality knit together any group she was a part of. Classmates gravitated to her because of her genuine kindness and quiet modesty. Her friends knew from the very first week of school that she would be a trusted, warm confidant with a great sense of fun and camaraderie," she continued.

"Cassidy was also known for taking on new challenges with a sense of adventure and joy, whether it was drama class, where she was always up for any game or scene, or playing hockey this winter for the first time—after many years dedicated to gymnastics," added Price noting, "This is a parent's worst nightmare, It's such a tragedy that we lost someone so special."

Milton School Superintendent Thomas Jette too lamented her loss. "There are no words to describe the tragic loss of this vibrant young girl who had so much to offer and her whole life ahead of her. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and all those who are deeply affected by Cassidy’s death," said Jette.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Cassidy Murray's family with the expenses during these hard times.

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