A 6-year-old boy from Illinois died after inhaling helium from a large Mylar balloon at his Mount Carmel home on May 29, just eight days after his sixth birthday, according to the Wabash County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner, Shaun Keepes, concluded that Gunner Matthew Hyatt most likely suffocated after breathing in the helium from the balloon at home. Keepes, who responded to the scene, classified the tragedy as an accidental death resulting from exposure to the helium-filled decoration.
Initial autopsy results confirmed the cause of Hyatt’s death. However, further testing and toxicology reports are still pending to declare the official cause. The incident is under investigation by the Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police Child Death Task Force.
Hyatt was born on May 21, 2019, in Evansville, Indiana. He had recently finished kindergarten at Mount Carmel Elementary School and was the youngest of three children. He is survived by his parents, Steven and Kayla Hyatt, his older brother Granger, and his sister Myah.
Those closest to Hyatt remember him as an adventurous child who loved the outdoors, especially baseball, fishing, and hunting. His aunt, Bethany Hyatt, wrote on Facebook that he was a delight and full of energy, beloved by all who knew him. She shared that the family finds solace in knowing he had nothing but happiness throughout his six years.
According to his obituary, Hyatt brought joy and laughter wherever he went, and had a zest for adventure. Family members lovingly called him “Gunny Bunny” and highlighted his fondness for monster trucks and riding in the mud. Coroner Keepes said, “Gunner lived life with courage, a playful spirit, and a smile that will remain unforgettable.”
Keepes used the tragedy to alert parents and caregivers about the often-overlooked dangers posed by large, Mylar balloons intended for children. He explained that these balloons, usually 36 inches and shaped in various forms, can be mistaken for toys. While commonly seen as festive decorations, he cautioned that they pose significant risks, including the rare but serious dangers of suffocation and helium poisoning.
Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, have a thin layer of plastic covered with foil that gives them their reflective shine. These are different from regular latex balloons and are popular at parties and events. Their metal-coated plastic material, such as polyethylene or nylon, makes them conductive and capable of causing electrical hazards if they touch power lines.
The Wabash County Coroner’s Office offered heartfelt condolences to the family and asked the community to keep them in their thoughts at this difficult time. Keepes stressed the crucial importance of understanding the risks these seemingly harmless decorations can present, especially to young children who might not realize the potential dangers.
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to help the Hyatt family had collected over $20,000. The page described Gunner as playful and loving, attesting to the profound mark he left on those around him during his short life.
This case comes after a similar tragedy in 2023 when a seven-year-old girl from Tennessee died from suffocating on a large, number-shaped Mylar balloon shortly after her birthday.