River is the third child of Stone's brother Patrick and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio.
On August 27, 2021, Sharon Stone took to social media to ask her fans to pray for a "miracle" as her nephew and godson, 11-month-old River William Stone, was found in his crib in "total organ failure," according to TODAY. "My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib w total organ failure today," Stone wrote, alongside a series of emojis. "Please pray for him. We need a miracle."
Three days after the heartbreaking post, Stone announced that her nephew is no more. She shared the devastating news via social media, along with a touching video montage featuring footage of the infant, with Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" as the background music. "River William Stone Sept. 8, 2020 - Aug. 30, 2021," she captioned it.
USA Today reports that the toddler's death comes just a week before his first birthday, in September. River was the third child of Stone's brother Patrick and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio. On the day he died, mom Tasha shared the same video Stone did, and wrote an emotional post, mourning the loss of her beloved son.
"God needed River in Heaven. I can’t say more than I needed him here on Earth because my heart is shattered into a million pieces. My days will never be the same and I have no idea how I am supposed to live my life without the sweetest boy in the universe. I am crushed."
She added, "River William Stone you were loved beyond measure. Leaving your hospital room today was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do." "I will ALWAYS love you, my sweet baby boy," she concluded her post.
On August 27, 2021, the heartbroken mother had shared a health update about her son, where she wrote he "was not doing so well."
"This is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to post but I am BEGGING everyone and anyone who prays please pray HARD for River. He was life-flighted to Children’s UPMC Pittsburgh last night/early morning and is not doing so well. He is in a coma currently and I am dying. Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back," the dejected mom wrote.
"The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same. Please I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who loves him so very much. I am beyond heartbroken." This is the most recent loss for Stone. She lost her grandmother and godmother in August 2020, after COVID-19 ravaged her family in Montana. At the time, she said her sister Kelly and brother-in-law, Bruce, were hospitalized and "fighting for their lives", but they later recovered.
References:
https://www.today.com/parents/sharon-stone-shares-nephew-godson-river-has-died-t229465
https://www.facebook.com/1057781946/videos/342209841020945/
Cover Image Source: Instagram | Sharon Stone (@sharonstone)