 Although he had wanted to study for a doctorate and proceed with a career in archaeology, Buczynski was dying. He became ill with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which was able to invade his body due to its extremely weakened status. He suffered partial paralysis on his right side as well as brain lesions, leaving him irritable and withdrawn, and required hospitalization. Upon release, it was decided that he would move to Atlanta to be with Muto in January 1989. By this stage, he was unable to attend to basic tasks on his own, including eating and dressing himself, and required almost constant care, from both Muto and from carers based at St. Joseph Hospital. He began to talk with the Roman Catholic priest based at the hospital, eventually deciding to return to the faith of his birth, and undertaking his confession of reconciliation in February. In March, his condition deteriorated, and he was admitted to the hospital, falling into a coma and dying on the morning on Thursday, March 16.
