When used safely and in moderation, alcohol isn’t a bad thing. Adults who responsibly consume alcohol can lead fully functioning lives without letting a few drinks negatively impact their lives. But for others, alcohol can be dangerous and sometimes even deadly. Dylan Thomas Wakefield, was a 29-year-old father of three who enjoyed drinking. Over time, however, alcohol caused him to have serious health problems, and eventually, he developed a deadly case of pancreatitis. Now, his family wants others to learn from his heartbreaking story.
Wakefield shared photos from the hospital and an update on his health on Facebook on May 9, 2025. He explained that he arrived at the emergency room with severe pain on April 24, and doctors diagnosed him with chronic pancreatitis. Things went from bad to worse for the young father.
“My body began to shut down. The pain intensified. Things went from bad to life-threatening. I was put into a coma, and for days, my family watched helplessly, not knowing if I would ever wake up again,” Wakefield explained in his post. “They prayed. I fought.”
He awoke from his coma on April 29, understanding he had a long health battle ahead of him.
“But the fight is far from over. I’m still in the hospital. I’m still in pain. I can’t walk. I can’t eat. I’m facing a lifelong condition that has torn through my life in a matter of days,” he shared on Facebook. “This has been the darkest chapter I’ve ever known – terrifying, humbling, and utterly heartbreaking. Thank you to everyone who’s sent love, prayers, or even a thought my way. I’m still here. And I’m not giving !!!!”
Sadly, Wakefield died a few weeks later on May 28. His brother, Nathan Lamb, told the Daily Mail no one knows the exact cause of his condition, but Lamb attributes his brother’s illness and death to alcohol.
“Dylan liked a drink, but he was only 29 – issues like this you would think only start later in life,” he said. “He has his whole future ahead of him. It is so unfair.”
Lamb admitted the family didn’t expect Wakefield to die. “The whole ordeal has been a massive shock. We didn’t think he would die from this,” he told the Daily Mail. “He has eight siblings, and they all miss him. We were a very close family, and they all meant the world to him.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, patients suffer from either acute or chronic pancreatitis. In the case of acute pancreatitis, the condition is typically temporary and people heal quickly. Chronic pancreatitis never goes away, but symptoms can be managed over time for some people.
“Heavy alcohol use is another clear cause of pancreatitis, though scientists aren’t sure why. It may be that the toxic byproducts of alcohol in your blood cause an inflammatory response in your pancreas, or they somehow chemically activate the digestive enzymes inside your pancreas,” the Cleveland Clinic explains. “Scientists estimate that heavy alcohol use accounts for around half of both acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis cases.”
Loved ones created a GoFundMe account for Wakefield’s family to help with final expenses.
