An autopsy has revealed that athletic Keith Pierce received a bite from a brown recluse spider as he played flag football on October 4th.

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He died in a Montana hospital as a result of a bacterial infection nine days later, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports.

Family friend Alicia Carper Clark wrote: "He was an energetic, athletic, cute little boy.

"He was great at wrestling, and loved sports and was super active and fun."

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She has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family cover funeral expenses, writing: "There are always so many expenses and needs when something tragic happens, and we wanted to help the Pierce family in any way we can.

"All donations go straight to the Pierce family, and any donations or kind words are appreciated!"

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The Yellowstone County Coroner confirmed that a brown recluse spider was responsible for the bite.

They usually only bite when pressed against skin and, while the bite may not be immediately painful, it can be serious due to the fact it contains a potentially deadly hemotoxic venom.