Thousands Mourn Death of One of the Viral 'Hugging Twins'

— -- A Fort Pierce, Florida, couple shared their roller coaster of a ride experience trying to keep their newborn twins, Hawk and Mason, alive.

People worldwide fell in love with the Buchmeyer twins last month when their parents shared an emotional picture on Facebook of the brothers’ touching for the very first time, an embrace that also touched the hearts of the people who responded with thousands of “likes.”

“As soon as Mason felt Hawk he reached out his arm and smiled this big,” parents Brandy Guettler and Tommy Buchmeyer wrote underneath the Facebook photo of the babies.

The twin boys were born Aug. 18 at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Upon birth, Hawk immediately experienced serious health problems.

He was diagnosed with a rare condition called CDH, or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The family continued to share updates on Hawk’s health through Facebook for friends and family.

The outpouring of support for the Buchmeyers came flowing in by the thousands with many thoughtful and caring messages from complete strangers who were moved by Hawk's story.

But the family shared on Facebook early this morning that Hawk had died and “was called home to be with Jesus,” and that he is no longer suffering.

Many people have sent their condolences to the Buchmeyer family.