Patriots tight end Eli Raridon and wife announce death of newborn son

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon and his wife, Anna Raridon, announced the death of their newborn son, who they said on social media never went home after he was born.

Their son, Peter James Raridon, was born Sept. 11, the couple said Wednesday on Instagram.

In the caption of the post, the couple said they learned at their 20-week anatomy scan that their son had been diagnosed with anencephaly, which the couple described as “a fatal condition in which he would not survive outside the womb.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anencephaly is a condition in which a child is born missing parts of the brain and skull. The condition is fatal, and there is no cure or treatment.

“While we are absolutely devastated that we were unable to bring our baby boy home, I am grateful to have loved him deeply, kept him safe, and had been his home for the past 9 months before he was called back to Heaven,” the couple wrote.

“Though his time with us was brief, his life still precious, his purpose still meaningful, and he will forever be a part of our story,” the post added. “I have loved you every second of your life & will miss you every second of mine. What a sweet sweet reunion ours will be.”

Eli and Anna Raridon were married on May 25, 2025, and announced on March 31 that they were expecting.

“half me, half you— fearfully & wonderfully made, thank you Jesus!!! baby Raridon arriving this fall,” the caption of the announcement post said.

Eli Raridon was chosen by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2026 draft. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame.