On the evening of March 21st, our community lost a bright and beautiful soul far too soon. Johan Brenes, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Alston Ridge Middle School, tragically passed away in a car accident while on a trip with his father, Max, in South Carolina. The shock and grief of this loss have been felt deeply by all who knew him—his family, friends, teachers, and neighbors.
Johan was the kind of kid who made the world feel a little warmer just by being in it. Energetic, kind-hearted, and full of love, he had a way of lifting people up without even trying. On the soccer field, he was the first to celebrate his teammates with a high five and the first to check on a friend who’d taken a hard fall or was having a rough day. His kindness wasn’t performative—it was just who he was.
Though Johan’s family had only been in Cary, North Carolina, for three years after moving from Boston, he left an indelible mark on those around him. His parents, Max and Marika, raised a boy who stood out in the best of ways—thoughtful, funny, and endlessly considerate. Neighbors remember him holding doors, carrying groceries, telling jokes, or walking them to their cars after neighborhood gatherings. He had a way of making people feel seen, whether with a cheerful *”Hey! I know you!”* across a parking lot or that unforgettable smile that could brighten even the toughest day.
Johan leaves behind his two younger sisters, Eloisa (10) and Laurel (7), who adored their big brother and now face the unimaginable task of growing up without him. The road ahead for the Brenes family will be long and painful. As they await autopsy results and the completion of the investigation—a common but agonizing process in fatal accidents—they also face the emotional and financial burdens that come with such a devastating loss. Therapy, grief counseling, and daily living expenses will weigh heavily in the coming months.
Johan’s absence leaves a void that can never be filled, but his spirit—his laughter, his kindness, his unwavering light—will live on in the stories we tell and the love we continue to share in his name. Rest easy, sweet boy. You were so deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten.