Paul J. Kim, a prominent Catholic influencer with a substantial online following, has shared the devastating news that his five-year-old son, Micah, has died. The young boy passed away on New Year's Eve after a severe medical battle that began with influenza.
A Rapid and Severe Illness
Micah Joseph Kim's health crisis started when he contracted a serious case of the flu. The illness rapidly escalated, triggering sepsis and seizures that required immediate hospitalisation. After being admitted, his condition deteriorated to the point where he was placed on life support. The family spent 11 days in hospital from December 21, hoping for a miracle as Micah fought for his life.
On January 1, Kim addressed his 346,000 Instagram followers in two emotional videos to confirm the tragic outcome. "After fighting 11 long hard days, [Micah] went home to the house of our father," the grieving father stated. He expressed profound gratitude for the global wave of prayers that had supported his family through what he described as "the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life."
A Family's Heartbreak and Faith
Despite requesting privacy to mourn, Kim felt compelled to update his supportive community. He revealed the depth of the family's struggle, explaining they had consulted legal, health, and ethical teams outside the hospital to ensure every possible avenue for Micah's care was explored. "We were fighting for Micah to buy him as much time as possible, until he passed. As a father, that is my duty," Kim said.
His updates were steeped in his religious faith. He quoted the Book of Job: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Kim believes his son is now on a divine mission, writing, "Micah has been very busy already, as I see the Lord using him and sending him on missions to bring millions of people closer to God." He described this belief as a source of "great joy and hope in the midst of sorrow."
The Final Medical Prognosis
The family's hopes were dealt a crushing blow in the final days of December. On December 27, Kim revealed that MRI scans showed severe and irreversible brain damage. Medical professionals concluded there was no medical possibility of recovery. "We are up against the reality that at this point God must intervene," Kim had posted at the time, vowing to continue fighting until told otherwise.
The influencer's public journey through this tragedy resonated with many, including singer Gwen Stefani, who commented "praying for you" on one of his posts. Kim concluded his announcement by asking for continued prayers as his family learns "how to live by faith and not by sight," acknowledging that while Micah was healed, it was through "welcoming him into eternal life."
