A 5-year-old boy unexpectedly and unexplainably died in his sleep, leaving his family devastated.

Cruz died on May 11 from a syndrome known as sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC), which is similar to SIDS in that the child's premature death has no known cause.

SUDC is uncommon, mostly affecting children, with an incidence of 1.2/100,000 in the US, according to the Red Nose Foundation.

His grieving family disclosed that he had no past medical conditions or injuries and went to sleep as he usually would.

Cruz's family described him as a "beacon of love and light" and set up a GoFundMe page.
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"He was a warrior who filled our lives with joy and laughter," they said.

"His absence has left an unimaginable void in our family, one that can never be filled."

The family claims that in the midst of their grief, they had come to terms with the "harsh reality" of his passing.

"Giving Cruz the farewell he deserves has come with a financial burden," they said.

"Cruz's parents are not only navigating the overwhelming pain of losing their boy, but they are also caring for their two other children while my brother has been unable to return back to work due to their loss."

The family is in mourning and is hoping that some "comfort and relief" will come from the kindness of others.

"Your kind and compassionate gesture will make a world of difference," they wrote.