'We love Liam in heaven': VB child dies after battle with Stage 4 bone cancer
Dec 24, 2024
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Last Wednesday, 11-year-old Liam Metz died after a battle with Stage 4 bone cancer.
10 On Your Side photojournalist Cortez Grayson told the story of Liam's cancer journey in September 2023. He had been diagnosed June 17, 2022 and was given two months to live, but he lived for 30 months after. Liam died a week before Christmas, his favorite time of year. He took his last breath while holding hands with his mom and dad in the early morning hours of Dec. 18.
Previously: ‘Going full force’: VB child endures 2nd Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
He loved playing Minecraft and was a huge Pokemon collector.
Liam was a big brother to Noah and Ava, whom he loved dearly, and he spent a lot of time with them growing up.
He will be remembered for his kindness, always having a positive mindset no matter what the situation at hand was, and always putting others' needs before his own.
Each of his family members had words of remembrance of Liam's life.
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"Liam's legacy will live on forever," said Liam's mother, Vikki Metz. "Long live Liam. And I believe that all those that are going through the same cancer, or maybe a different cancer. Any child, or even an adult, older person, he loved everybody."
His father, Shawn Metz, said this about his son, Liam.
"You think of a noble king who sacrifices everything for the joy of others," Shawn Metz said, "and that's what Liam was. That's who Liam was. Long live Liam has much more of a deeper concept than people may realize, and I hold that near and dear to my heart."
Liam's sister, Ava Metz, said "Liam was very good and strong in fighting cancer."
His brother, Noah Metz, said simply: "We love Liam in heaven."
There is a GoFundMe to help raise money for Liam Metz's family to help bury Liam. To donate, go here.