Idaho father dies from blood clot after recovering from flesh-eating bacteria
Jon McCoy, 38, died on Monday in Newdale, Idaho, from a massive blood clot in his lungs. He had recently recovered from a flesh-eating bacterial infection in his leg, which required hospitalization and ongoing wound care. His family reports he was unable to take blood thinners due to other medical issues, contributing to the clot. He is survived by his wife, Monica, and two daughters.
Key points
- Jon McCoy died at age 38 from complications of a massive blood clot in his lungs.
- He had been recovering from a flesh-eating bacterial infection in his leg, which required hospitalization at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) in August.
- McCoy was making progress and had been discharged, continuing weekly wound care and home health nurse visits.
- He experienced breathing difficulties over the weekend, initially mistaken for asthma, leading to his readmission.
- Doctors found a large blood clot in his lungs and performed emergency surgery to remove it.
- McCoy was unable to take blood thinners due to other medical conditions, which may have contributed to the clot.
Background
In August 2026, East Idaho News reported that Jon McCoy was hospitalized in the ICU at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after contracting a flesh-eating bacterial infection in his leg. The infection required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery, with his wife coordinating care and a GoFundMe campaign garnering community support. This incident is part of a broader pattern of severe flesh-eating bacterial infections reported in the US in 2026, including cases in Florida linked to Vibrio vulnificus from raw shellfish and warm coastal waters, and a Palm Beach County man who survived a 101-day hospital ordeal after contracting the infection from hand cuts while landscaping.
Why it matters
This case highlights the severe and potentially fatal complications that can arise from flesh-eating bacterial infections, even after initial recovery. It underscores the critical importance of ongoing medical monitoring and the risks associated with underlying conditions that prevent the use of standard treatments like blood thinners. The story also emphasizes the impact of such sudden, tragic losses on families and communities, and the role of local support systems in times of crisis.
What to watch
The family is processing the grief and arranging funeral services. The GoFundMe campaign will continue to raise funds for funeral expenses and the family's future. The Newdale community is providing support to Monica McCoy and her daughters.
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