In memory of those who "died suddenly" in the United States, April 26-May 2 (Part 1)
Three musicians, two mothers-of-two in New Jersey, a fourth-grader in Little League ("died suddenly" playing baseball), a college lacrosse star, and all too many more
Three musicians:
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Andrew Woolfolk dead at 71: Defined ’70s sound
April 26, 2022
Earth, Wind & Fire saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk, who was instrumental in defining the disco sound of the 1970s, has died at age 71.
The musician — who helped create some of the band’s biggest hits, including “September” and “Boogie Wonderland”— passed away Monday following a six-year illness. An official cause of death has not been disclosed.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/26/earth-wind-fires-andrew-woolfolk-dead-at-71-saxophonist-defined-the-disco-sound-of-the-1970s/
The Locust drummer Gabe Serbian has died
May 1, 2022
There's sad news to report as Gabe Serbian, longtime drummer for The Locust, has died. The news was shared via the band's social media, stating that the musician had passed on April 30.
"It’s with heavy hearts that we have to share the passing of Gabe Serbian on April 30th, 2022. This world will miss Gabe as a friend, family member, musician and artist," wrote the band. "He will continue to live on in so many ways and through everyone he has connected with during his time with us. May 1st is his birthday, and we hope that you can find a way to celebrate his life. During this difficult time we ask that you give Gabe’s family privacy." A cause of death was not given.
https://loudwire.com/the-locust-gabe-serbian-died/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
Founding Autograph Bassist Randy Hand Has Died
April 26, 2022
Founding Autograph bassist Randy Rand has died. The band released a statement on their social media platforms announcing the news. He was surrounded by his wife, Regina Rand, and his family at the time of his death.
"It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts to announce the unexpected passing of our cherished friend and founding member of Autograph, Randy Rand," the band wrote. "Although beyond devastated, we find some comfort and solace knowing the last couple of years have been some of his happiest as an artist and as a performer. Randy was the consummate optimist and was so excited to see the new direction, creativity and renewed energy with the band. You could feel his excitement — as it was quite palpable with his playing abilities, performances and the way he interacted with his beloved fans."
No details on cause of death; age not reported.
https://loudwire.com/founding-autograph-bassist-randy-rand-has-died/
A fourth-grader “died suddenly” playing baseball in Little League:
Long Beach School District says fourth grader suddenly dies at baseball game
May 1, 2022
New York - Counselors will be on hand Monday at schools in the Long Island town of Long Beach after a fourth-grade student died suddenly at a baseball game.
According to a Facebook post by Long Beach Public Schools, the student Lazar LaPenna from East Elementary School passed away on Friday.
The cause of death was not revealed.
The district said all of its schools have a crisis intervention team trained to help students, parents, and personnel at difficult times.
Newsday’s coverage:
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/lazar-lapenna-died-little-league-baseball-epilepsy-dbx29f6r
A star lacrosse player at Salem State “died suddenly”:
Salem State Mourns Loss Of Marblehead Lacrosse Player Sam Cioffi
May 2, 2022
Salem, MA — The Salem State and Marblehead school communities are mourning a standout lacrosse player who died unexpectedly this weekend.
Salem State University postponed its scheduled school athletics award ceremony — the VESPYS — scheduled for Tuesday while announcing that Marblehead High alumnus Sam Cioffi died of a medical emergency on Sunday morning.
"Please join us in keeping Sam's family, teammates, coaches and friends in your thoughts," the school said in a statement.
No age or cause of death reported.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem/salem-state-mourns-loss-marblehead-lacrosse-player-sam-cioffi
Salem State University’s “vaccination” mandate:
All Salem State students and employees are required to be fully immunized, including a booster shot, for COVID-19.
This includes undergraduate and graduate students who are attending in-person classes, conducting research on campus, living in residence halls, or participating in campus life activities.
salemstate.edu/covidvaccine
Prosecutor in Club Blu shooting trial found dead in his home
May 2, 2022
South Fort Myers, FL - Prosecutor Anthony William Kunasek with the State Attorney’s Office has died, according to his office.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Kunasek was not murdered but declined to give any further details.
State Attorney Amira Fox said in a statement:
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Assistant State Attorney Anthony (Tony) Kunasek. Tony was an incredibly important and beloved member of our SAO team for many years and a dear friend, and he will be deeply missed more than words could ever express. He was an excellent and gifted attorney and his work helped keep Southwest Florida a safe place to live. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and request that you allow his family and friends to grieve privately at this time.”
Kunasek was the lead prosecutor in the Club Blu shooting case, where the trial for defendant Kierra Russ, who is facing a second-degree murder and conspiracy change, is currently underway.
Russ is the first of five defendants to face a jury in the 2016 shooting that killed Stef’an Strawder, 18, and Sean Archilles, 14, two teens present at the party. The shooting also injured 14 others.
The high-profile murder trial started last week. As they head into the second week, the trial’s future is up in the air.
No age reported.
https://www.winknews.com/2022/05/01/prosecutor-in-club-blu-shooting-trial-has-died/
Former University of Miami Hurricanes Player Sam Bruce Dead at 24 Following Car Accident
April 29, 2022 12:32 AM
Former University of Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Sam Bruce has died. He was 24.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Bruce's high school, confirmed the former football star's death in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Bruce was involved in a car accident on the road in Fort Lauderdale around 8:23 p.m. on Wednesday and had suffered a seizure, TMZ reported.
A spokesperson for the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department told the outlet that medics performed CPR on Bruce upon arriving at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Bruce later died at the hospital on Thursday morning.
"At this time the circumstances surrounding this incident are not suspicious and foul play is not suspected," the FLPD spokesperson told the outlet.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional comment.
Several of these sailors who “died suddenly” were evidently suicides:
Inside US Navy warship crisis as seven sailors assigned to USS George Washington found dead in last year
April 30, 2022
Seven sailors who were assigned to the USS George Washington have been found dead in a crisis that has gripped the US Navy over the last year.
Three were found dead within the space of one week earlier this month.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/30/inside-us-navy-warship-crisis-as-seven-sailors-found-dead-including-three-in-one-week/
Lonnie Bell Jr., Orange County’s ‘champion’ for residents’ welfare, dies at 68 – Orlando Sentinel – Latest News
April 27, 2022
Lonnie Bell Jr., an Orange County public servant who fought to help disadvantaged preschoolers and homeless adults with equal passion, died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 68.
Bell, the county’s director of Community and Family Services since 2009, led a sprawling department with quiet humility, friends said, while serving on a handful of nonprofit boards and helping 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando raise over $1.5 million in college scholarships.
https://www.latestbreakingnewsvideo.com/news/latest-news/watch-lonnie-bell-jr-orange-countys-champion-for-residents-welfare-dies-at-68-orlando-sentinel-latest-news.html
David J. Theroux
Independent Institute Founder and President, 1949-2022
Oakland, CA—The Independent Institute sorrowfully announces that David J. Theroux, Independent’s Founder and President, has died after a brief illness [at 72]. Mr. Theroux passed away in Oakland, California on Saturday, April 23 in the company of his loving family.
David Theroux founded the Independent In [stitute as an academic, non-profit, public policy research and educational organization, in 1986. He also founded as served as President of the C.S. Lewis Society of California.
Theroux authored dozens of scholarly and commentary articles, and as publisher directed the publication of more than 140 scholarly books. He also created and was publisher of the influential quarterly journal, The Independent Review.
https://www.independent.org/news/news_detail.asp?newsid=2299
Channel Mourns Death of Teleystem Exec, TBI Alum Ken Mercer, 54
May 2, 2022
Friends and colleagues across the channel are grieving the sudden loss of channel vet and stalwart Ken Mercer. He suffered a heart attack on April 29. He was 54.
Just last month, Telesystem promoted Mercer to manager of customer success. He had more than 20 years of technical and business experience within the telecom industry.
Bruce Wirt is Telesystem‘s chief revenue officer. He said the industry and world have “lost an icon.”
A bowler “died suddenly” at 21:
‘Nicest Person In The World’: Hackettstown HS Grad, Talented Bowler Dies Unexpectedly, 28
April 29, 2022
Hackettstown High School graduate and talented bowler Brian Patrick Waas died unexpectedly at St. Barnabas Medical Center on Monday, April 18. He was 29.
Born in Livingston, Brian graduated from Hackettstown High School in 2011, his obituary and social media pages say.
Brian was a 21-year-golfer and a 10-season bowler with a 204 average, his page says.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/warren-hunterdon/obituaries/nicest-person-in-the-world-hackettstown-hs-grad-talented-bowler-dies-unexpectedly-28/831341/
A poker player “died suddenly” at 35:
Inaugural Beer Society memorial poker tournament raises $2,500 for Last Hope Rescue
April 29, 2022
Well, it certainly wasn't an easy event to put on but the end result was pretty special.
The Inaugural Josh Vanderpool Memorial Charity Poker Tournament – named after longtime TLH Beer Society member Josh Vanderpool, who died unexpectedly Feb. 9 at the age of 35 – took place at the Red Shed BBQ Restaurant on April 8 and marked the first time we'd held a fundraising event like this.
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/food/beer/2022/04/29/tlh-beer-society-poker-tournament-raises-2-500-last-hope-rescue/9561434002/
A baton-twirler “died suddenly” at 49:
Monroeville’s David Peters, famous for baton-twirling routine, has died at 49
April 27, 2022
MONROEVILLE, Pa.—David Peters, of Monroeville, who got national attention for his baton-twirling routine, has died at the age of 49.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 featured Peters when he appeared at Monroeville’s Fourth of July Parade in 2016.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said he was found dead at his home in Monroeville’s Cedar Ridge on Monday.
A cause of death has not been released.
https://www.wtae.com/article/monroevilles-david-peters-famous-for-baton-twirling-routine-has-died-at-49/39834524#
Police investigating sudden death in Arlandria neighborhood
April 27. 2022
Alexandria Police reported a sudden death Wednesday morning in the City’s Arlandria neighborhood.
The death was reported in the 3900 block of Mount Vernon Avenue at around 6:45 a.m., and the area from Executive Avenue to Russell Road was temporarily shut down, but the street was reopened as of 10 a.m.
The 55-year-old male victim was found in the doorway of a building, according to Alexandria Police.
No arrests have been made in connection to the incident.
No information on the victim was released, and the cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner, police said on social media.
https://www.alxnow.com/2022/04/27/police-investigating-sudden-death-in-arlandria-neighborhood/
Two mothers of two “died suddenly” in New Jersey:
Beloved Mom Of 2, NJ College Student Dies Suddenly, 28
April 28, 2022
Beloved mother of two and New Jersey college student Avinique Sabree Marshall-Bethea died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 19. She was 28.
Born in Trenton, Avinique grew up in Lawrence and Ewing and graduated from Lawrence High School, her obituary says.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/mercer/obituaries/beloved-mom-of-2-nj-college-student-dies-suddenly-28/831211/
Beloved Sussex County Mom Of 2 Dies Suddenly, 37
April 28, 2022
Beloved Sussex County mother of two Danielle Alana Assante died suddenly on Friday, April 22. She was 37.
Born in Pequannock, Danielle graduated from Newton High School in 2003, her obituary says.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/sussex/obituaries/beloved-sussex-county-mom-of-2-dies-suddenly-37/831255/
A former Westchester County resident who worked as a counselor for more than a decade has died suddenly at age 41
April 27, 2022
Erik Volper died on Thursday, April 21, after he collapsed while running on the treadmill from an unknown heart issue, according to his obituary.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/mamaroneck/obituaries/former-larchmont-resident-who-was-counselor-dies-suddenly-at-41/831052/
Beloved Lehigh Valley Dad Of 2 Dies Suddenly On 36th Birthday
April 27, 2022
Beloved Lehigh Valley father of two Michael E. Taschler, Jr. died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 20, what would’ve marked his 36th birthday.
Born in Lehighton, Michael worked at Blue Ridge Pressure Casting Co., his obituary says.
https://dailyvoice.com/pennsylvania/northampton/obituaries/beloved-lehigh-valley-dad-of-2-dies-suddenly-on-36th-birthday/831083/
Death of longtime radio personality leaves Columbia station with ‘heavy, saddened heart’
May 2, 2022
Benji Norton, a longtime fixture on the radio waves in Columbia, SC, has died. Fox 102.3 FM, the classic rock music station in Columbia where Norton worked, posted news of his death on the station’s website, as well as its Facebook and Twitter pages, Sunday night.
“It is with a heavy, saddened heart we must share that our brother, Benji Norton, has passed away,” the post said of the DJ and radio personality who was in his early 60s. “Always the SPIRIT of Fox, Benji filled the lives of those around him with laughter and plenty of smiles!”
There was no word how Norton died. Vizor Sports, which covers Gamecocks athletics, said Norton died “unexpectedly.”
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article260969777.html
Beloved Warren County Native, Landscaping Team Leader Dies Suddenly, 36
April 28, 2022
Beloved Warren County native and landscaping team leader Kevin Charles Schiereck died unexpectedly on Monday, April 11. He was 36.
Born in Freehold, Kevin grew up in Oxford, where he attended Warren Hills Regional High School, his obituary says.
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/warren-hunterdon/obituaries/beloved-warren-county-native-landscaping-team-leader-dies-suddenly-36/831182/
The life insurance industry and its actuaries must be following these trends very closely. I've heard reports that in Germany there was an insurance company rep that was out in public saying that all cause mortality in 40-60 yo olds is way up. There was a report from Illinois as well. I think the life ins industry is going to help blow this whole thing up. You cant hide or obfuscate a corpse
Omg. I knew one of these families and met the victim when he was little. Nice people. So horrendous.