Former NFL QB Brian Hoyer Mourns Sudden Death of Sister-in-Law

Hoyer's brother Brett is now a widowed father of four young daughters.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:15am

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Former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer announced the sudden and unexpected death of his 36-year-old sister-in-law, Carissa, who left behind his brother Brett and their four young daughters under the age of 12. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support Brett as he transitions to being a single parent.

Why it matters

The tragic loss of a young mother is deeply impactful for the Hoyer family and highlights the challenges faced by families dealing with sudden and unexpected deaths. The community has rallied to support the family during this difficult time.

The details

Carissa Hoyer, the wife of Brian Hoyer's brother Brett, passed away last Friday at the age of 36. Details about the cause of her death were not immediately made public. Brian Hoyer shared the news on social media, noting that his brother Brett is now a widowed father to four young daughters. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $100,000 in donations to help support Brett and the children during this transition.

  • Carissa Hoyer passed away on Friday, February 17, 2026.
  • The GoFundMe campaign was launched shortly after Carissa's death.

The players

Brian Hoyer

A former NFL quarterback who played for the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and other teams. He is the brother of Brett Hoyer.

Brett Hoyer

The widowed husband of Carissa Hoyer and father of four young daughters.

Carissa Hoyer

The 36-year-old wife of Brett Hoyer who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving behind her husband and four young daughters.

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What they’re saying

“In an instant, he became a widowed father to four daughters under 12.”

— Brian Hoyer, Former NFL Quarterback

“There truly are no words to fully express what this means to our family.”

— Matthew Hoyer, Brian Hoyer's Brother

What’s next

The family is focused on supporting Brett Hoyer and his four daughters during this difficult time, with the GoFundMe campaign aiming to provide financial assistance to ease the burden as they grieve and adjust to their new reality.

The takeaway

This tragic loss highlights the importance of community support and resources for families dealing with sudden and unexpected deaths. The outpouring of support for the Hoyer family demonstrates the power of coming together to help those in need during their darkest moments.