Anna Raridon, wife of New England Patriots rookie Eli Raridon, announced the death of their newborn son in a post on Instagram, as reported by Boston.com. The post identified the baby as Peter James Raridon and said he was born on September 11.
Anna’s post said Peter had been diagnosed with anencephaly. The diagnosis and family details in this article are attributed to her account, as reported by Boston.com.
The announcement described the loss of the couple’s first child. Anna shared the news Tuesday afternoon, explaining that the family had learned during pregnancy that their baby would not survive outside the womb. Her post focused on Peter’s life, the love surrounding him, and the faith she said she is relying on while grieving.
Eli Raridon newborn son: What Anna shared about Peter James
Anna named her son in the post, writing: “Our angel, Peter James Raridon, was born on September 11th.” Her announcement shared news of the family’s loss without further details about the diagnosis beyond what she stated.
She wrote that she and Eli went to their 20-week anatomy scan expecting to see their baby boy when, in her words, “our hearts were forever changed.” Anna said the scan led to the diagnosis of anencephaly, which she described as a fatal condition meaning Peter would not survive outside the womb.
In discussing the time she had with her son, Anna wrote that she was grateful to have loved him deeply, kept him safe, and carried him for the nine months before his death. She also expressed the pain of being unable to bring him home, while emphasizing that his life remained precious and meaningful to the family.
“While we are absolutely devastated that we were unable to bring our baby boy home, I am grateful to have loved him deeply,” Anna wrote in the post. She said Peter would forever be part of the Raridons’ story and noted that he was deeply loved by his parents, their families, and their friends.
The post also connected Peter’s name with the books of Peter and James. Anna shared Bible verses from those books along with photographs of the couple and other images. One of the passages she included was 1 Peter 1:5-7, which addresses faith and being tested through trials.
Anna wrote that she has found it easy to glorify the Lord when life is going well, but that the family’s deepest trial has drawn her closer to Him. She said the couple may never understand why they experienced this journey, while also writing that she believes God promises to care for His children.
The post’s religious references were part of Anna’s own account of how she is coping. She wrote that she believes Peter was lovingly created in the womb and that his purpose remained meaningful despite his short life. The post presented those reflections alongside the announcement of his birth and death.
The family’s announcement followed an earlier pregnancy announcement. Anna had announced the pregnancy on March 31, writing, “Half me, half you – fearfully and wonderfully made, thank you Jesus!!! baby Raridon arriving this fall.” In the later post, she reflected on the change from anticipating a child’s arrival to mourning the loss of her and Eli’s first child.
The couple celebrated their wedding in May 2025. Peter was their first child. Beyond the details Anna chose to share publicly, the Boston.com report did not provide additional information about the family’s private grieving process.
The post is the source for the family’s account. This article does not add medical information or independently verify the diagnosis.
Eli Raridon’s background with the Patriots
The Patriots selected Eli Raridon in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Boston.com reported that he caught a touchdown pass in New England’s season opener in Seattle and made a 30-yard catch against Pittsburgh.
Raridon is listed as a 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end. His touchdown came in the Patriots’ season opener in Seattle earlier in September, and he later contributed a 30-yard reception in New England’s win over Pittsburgh. Those plays were among the early moments highlighted in coverage of the rookie’s start with the team.
Boston.com also reported that Raridon was inactive for New England’s game against the Jaguars the previous week because of a thigh injury. That football update appeared in the same report but was separate from Anna’s announcement about the family’s loss.
Those brief career details provide context about Raridon’s Patriots background. The focus of Anna’s announcement remains the family’s loss and the information she chose to share. Her post was not a statement about football or the rookie tight end’s season; it was a personal announcement about Peter and the family’s experience.
Raridon’s selection in the third round and his early involvement in the Patriots’ offense have made him a notable rookie in New England. However, the report placed those details after the account of Anna’s pregnancy, the diagnosis, Peter’s birth, and the family’s faith. The football information helps identify Raridon’s public role while keeping the announcement in its personal context.
Anna’s Instagram post did not include a broader statement from the Patriots in the material reported by Boston.com. The details about Peter’s name, birth date, diagnosis, the pregnancy timeline, and the family’s response all came from Anna’s post as described in that report.
Source: Boston.com reported on Anna Raridon’s Instagram announcement. Visit Boston.com.
