Green Cove Mom, Sister-in-Law of Former NFL Quarterback, Dies, Leaving Four Children
Family Raises $138,000 in Go-Fund-Me Campaign
The author is a veteran journalist who served as Florida bureau chief for the New York Post before launching The St. Johns Citizen, which first published this story on February 19, 2026. It is reprinted here with permission.
By SELIM ALGAR
The Green Cove Springs community is mourning the death of Carissa Rae Hoyer, 36, who passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” last week, according to a heartbreaking GoFundMe post.
She is survived by her husband, Brett Hoyer, and their four young daughters: Josie (10), Lainey (9), Ellie (7), and Hattie (2).
Brett’s brothers—Matthew Hoyer and former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer—penned a wrenching post describing her as a tireless and dedicated mother.
“Our brother Brett and his four daughters are facing an unimaginable loss,” describing Cari as a “strong and courageous woman who dearly loved her family.”
Now, Brett Hoyer faces the challenge of raising four young girls on his own, his siblings wrote.
The family established the fund to help with immediate needs and ease financial pressures, allowing him to focus on caring for his children and navigating their grief.
“We cannot take away their pain, but together we can help carry the weight,” the Hoyer brothers wrote. “Any donation, prayer, or share means more than words can express. Thank you for surrounding this family with love during their darkest days.”
The drive had already raised more than $138,000, exceeding its $100,000 goal as of this morning.
“While nothing can replace Cari’s presence, your generosity is helping lift a burden and provide stability as Brett steps into this new reality of raising four young daughters without their Mother,” Brett’s brothers wrote in a follow up post thanking donors.
No cause of death was noted.
Brian Hoyer played 15 seasons after going undrafted from Michigan State in 2009, including stints with the Patriots, Browns, and Texans.
He threw for over 10,800 yards and 53 touchdowns, earning a Super Bowl LIII ring with New England in 2018 as a backup to Tom Brady.