In memory of those who "died suddenly" in northern Europe, April 12-18
Sudden deaths, including some caused by strange accidents, throughout the UK, and in Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic
UNITED KINGDOM
Animation Studio Red Star Co-Founder Jan Rogowski Dies at 41
April 13, 2022
The co-producer on ‘StarDog and TurboCat’ passes suddenly during production on Sky’s ‘The Amazing Maurice;’ the life-long Sir Terry Pratchett fan worked tirelessly to ensure the ‘Discworld’ novel adaptation lived up to the author’s vision and his own affection for the source material.
UK animation studio, Red Star, has announced the tragic death at age 41 of its co-founder, Jan Rogowski, who passed away suddenly on April 6.
https://www.awn.com/news/animation-studio-red-star-co-founder-jan-rogowski-dies-41
Two in the media:
Tributes paid to north east radio presenter Phil Holmes, 49
April 17, 2022
Radio presenter Phil Holmes has passed away just days before his 50th birthday. Phil was well known for this radio work in the north east, presenting on stations such as Real, Smooth, Sun, Minster and Alpha. He also worked in the south west with stints at Orchard FM and Palm 105.5. More recently he was hosting syndicated programmes and appearing on radio stations all over the world with The Daily Show.
Phil hit the headlines himself in 1998 after being fired from Sun FM for falling asleep during the breakfast show, following a party representing the station the night before. He died unexpectedly on 11th April 2022 and family, friends and colleagues have been paying their respect online.
No cause of death reported.
https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/04/tributes-paid-to-north-east-radio-presenter-phil-holmes/
Nigel Pearson: Veteran speedway commentator dies aged 52
April 16, 2022
Tributes have been paid to the sports journalist and commentator Nigel Pearson.
His family said the 52-year-old died on Friday after being taken ill suddenly earlier in the week.
Mr Pearson, a former BBC Radio Humberside speedway reporter, went on to work on national TV and radio.
Sky Sports, who Mr Pearson worked for as a darts commentator for 15 years, said he "was a consummate broadcaster with a distinctive voice".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-61126833
'DEVASTATED' Dominyka Podziute dead: Newcastle Utd pay tribute to their ‘much-loved’ former women’s keeper after she passes away
April 14, 2022
FORMER Newcastle United Women's goalkeeper Dominyka Podziute has sadly passed away.
Tributes have poured in on social media for the "much-loved" keeper, who is believed to have passed away aged just 21-years-old.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/5122508/dominyka-podziute-dead-newcastle-tribute/
Police alert to sudden death of man in his 40s in Old Lyndhurst Road, Cadnam
April 14, 2022
Police responded to the sudden death of a man in his 40s in Cadnam early this morning (Thursday). The alarm was raised around 6.40 am after the person’s body was discovered in Old Lyndhurst Road.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “We were called out at 6.39 am this morning (14th April) following reports of a sudden death of a man in his 40s on Old Lyndhurst Road in Cadnam.
“Enquires are ongoing to identify the deceased’s next of kin.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."
https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/police-alert-over-sudden-death-of-man-in-cadnam-9249600/
A mysterious drowning:
Tributes to Ed Matts who died swimming at West Bay
April 14, 2022
Father-of-five Ed Matts, 59, died during an early morning swim off West Beach on Monday.
His family have described Mr Matts as someone who was ‘full of energy, enthusiastic and had a love of life’.
The incident saw a major emergency response at the harbour, (Dorset Council image, above), including, police, paramedics, coastguards, RNLI lifeboats, firefighters and two rescue helicopters - as efforts were made to try and save Mr Matts.
The circumstances surrounding his death, which is not being treated as suspicious, are now a matter for the coroner.
Mr Matts’ family and friends are now trying to come to terms with his sudden death.
https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/20067182.tributes-ed-matts-died-swimming-west-bay/
Obituary: Popular runner who loved bright clothes dies suddenly aged 41
April 13, 2022
Tributes have been paid to a popular runner who has died unexpectedly at the age of 41.
Hannah Purvis, of Cringleford, near Norwich, was well-known in the running community for her “kindness and big smile” as well as her penchant for bright leggings.
A member of Wymondham Athletics Club (WAC), her family and friends described their shock following Hannah’s death.
Hannah Purvis died suddenly on April 1 after becoming ill unexpectedly.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-runner-hannah-purvis-dies-suddenly-aged-41-8896248
Tributes paid after ‘kind-hearted’ hotel manager dies
April 12, 2022
Tributes have flooded in for a hotel manager who “would give anything and everything for anyone” after he died suddenly. Nick Prosser, who was 35 and originally from Ynysybwl, ran the popular Old Rectory Hotel in Llangattock, close to the Gwent border.
Mr Prosser, a husband, and father to four children, died suddenly on Wednesday, March 23.
Mr Prosser - who was married with four children - was a hugely popular figure.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/20062368.tributes-paid-kind-hearted-hotel-manager-dies/
Much-loved retired police officer, 61, remembered after sudden death
April 13, 2022
A retired police officer who spent almost three decades making Beccles and Lowestoft safer has been remembered after his sudden death aged 61.
Stirling Parsk passed away at his home, near Norwich, on March 30.
His career saw him police the London 2012 Olympics, help protect world leaders at the Dublin G8 summit and join the search for murdered five-year-old April Jones.
He spent 29 years in the police force, starting his career in Lowestoft before his first spell in Beccles. He then moved to Halesworth before returning to Beccles, where he spent 20 years on the patch.
Following his retirement, he worked as an urgent specimen porter at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and planned to travel with his wife Wendy when she retires in the coming years.
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/obituaries/tributes-paid-to-retired-beccles-pc-stirling-parsk-8894062
Newcastle United ‘devastated’ at sudden death of ‘much loved’ former goalkeeper
April 14, 2022
Newcastle United Football Club is 'devastated' at the sudden death of former goalkeeper Dominyka Podziute.
Podziute played for Newcastle United Women during her footballing career, as well as a number of other clubs across the North East.
"Dom was a much loved member of the squad during her time at the club and will be sorely missed across North East football. Our thoughts are with Dom’s family and friends at this difficult time."
Age not noted.
This sudden death on Christmas was reported just this week:
Heartbreak at death of fit and healthy woman who went to sleep and 'did not wake up'; her partner found her dead in bed on Christmas Day and says they had hoped to get married after falling in love
April 12, 2022
A woman described as "beautiful, inside and out" died suddenly when she went to bed on Christmas Eve and simply "did not wake up", her heartbroken partner has said. Stuart Hatton says he has been left devastated after finding Jo Bird, who was fit and healthy and not ill in any way, dead in bed on Christmas Day.
He called an ambulance after trying to resuscitate her but paramedics couldn't save her. And Mr Hatton, known as Stu, has been left distraught and baffled by Jo's death as he tries to pick up the pieces. He says he cannot do anything that reminds him of accountant Jo, aged 47, as it is just too painful.
An inquest is set to be held at a later date.
https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/local-news/heartbreak-death-fit-healthy-woman-6883701
Liverpool FC fan dies before Champions League quarter final
April 14, 2022
A Liverpool fan died suddenly after falling ill before the club's Champions League quarter final match with Benfica at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The club confirmed the death in a Twitter post earlier.
It said: "The condolences and thoughts of everyone at the club are with the supporter's family, loved ones and friends."
The club also thanked the emergency crews, stewards and supporters "for their heroic efforts".
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-61079559
Ian ‘Waggy’ Wagstaff, 69
April 17 2022
We are saddened to announce the sudden death of Bedford legend, Ian “Waggy” Wagstaff, also known to some as The Colonel, on Wednesday 13 April – known to so many in the town.
Born in May 1952, Waggy enjoyed a happy childhood, surrounded by a loving family.
Waggy was a member of Bedford Boys Club, and was encouraged to pursue a successful amateur boxing career, which saw him winning many awards and titles in over 200 bouts.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/obituary-ian-waggy-wagstaff-1952-2022/
John Kelly, 53, loved to travel and had a unique fashion style
April 13, 2022
There was sadness felt throughout Enniscorthy and beyond recently following the unexpected passing of John Kelly (53), from 72 Westbury Woods, and formerly of Moran Park.
John died suddenly at his residence on Thursday, March 31, and his passing has saddened his family and friends and left an enormous void in their lives.
A keen basketball player in his youth he played for the CBS and St Catherine’s Youth Club teams. He was a very active member of the youth club and it was through his involvement there that his love of pool was borne.
Sudden death of man at housing development sparks emergency response
April 15, 2022
Police responded to a "sudden death" at a housing development in Swindon on Thursday (April 14). At around 4pm police descended on Homington Avenue in Badbury Park, near Coate Water following reports that a man had suddenly died. The adult male was located at the location and this is being treated as a non-suspicious death, police say.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "We were called to Badbury Park, Swindon, shortly before 4 pm yesterday, regarding a sudden death. We can confirm that, sadly, an adult male was located at the location and this is being treated as a non-suspicious sudden death. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We would ask that their privacy is respected."
https://www.wiltshirelive.co.uk/news/wiltshire-news/sudden-death-male-housing-development-6959563
Mother of murdered woman who was attacked for dressing as a goth has died suddenly
April 12, 2022
Sylvia Lancaster, the mother of murdered 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster who was attacked for dressing as a goth in 2007, has died suddenly.
An announcement made by the charity set up in Sophie’s name said Dr Lancaster died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning.
“It is with great shock and disbelief that we announce that Sylvia Lancaster has passed away,” the organisation said on social media.
“She died early this morning in Blackburn hospital. She had suffered from ill health for the last couple of years, but her death was sudden and unexpected. Sylvia had such a powerful life force; we cannot imagine a world without her in it.”
Sadness as Darlington's Sun Luck takeaway owner dies
April 14, 2022
Dozens of people have been paying tribute to a popular Darlington chef following his sudden death. The Sun Luck Takeaway, in Darlington, announced the death of the popular “Chef Paul” on Tuesday.
Paul Hy ran the takeaway in Dodds Street and was well-known for serving up plates of delicious food for his loyal customers.
No age or cause of death reported.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20070663.sadness-darlingtons-sun-luck-takeaway-owner-dies/
Remembering Eolake Stobblehouse
April 18, 2022
Eolake Stobblehouse died suddenly in his home in Manchester, England, last week. Eolake was an artist, photographer, and writer, and a genuinely thoughtful and inquisitive soul who was always involved in some sort of personal creative expression.
No age or cause of death reported.
https://tidbits.com/2022/04/18/littlebits-named-anchors-fixed-eolake-stobblehouse-dies/
IRELAND
Dunlavin man remembered for farming passion
April 13 2022
Larry Whelan was a very special man and there was a profound sense of sadness in the local community at his passing after he died suddenly and unexpectedly at 65 years of age on February 24.
‘There are no words’: Tributes paid to young Cavan woman who passed away at the weekend
April 18, 2022
The funeral of a young Co Cavan woman who sadly passed away at the weekend will take place tomorrow.
Leah Farrelly was well-known and well-loved in the local GAA and basketball communities.
Tributes have been paid to the Virginia native since news of her death emerged on Friday evening.
A message posted on the funeral website Rip.ie said Ms Farrelly died “unexpectedly” and “peacefully” at her home in Drumina, Virginia on Good Friday.
Age not noted.
https://www.independent.ie/news/there-are-no-words-tributes-paid-to-young-cavan-woman-who-passed-away-at-the-weekend-41563202.html
FRANCE
This piece tells of two British skiers found unconscious on the Continent the last week of March:
Mystery as British skier, 27, found dead and alone in France after visiting bar; the British skier, identified locally as Patrick F, was found unconscious at the side of the road last month in Flaine, France
April 12, 2022|
The 27-year-old, identified as Patrick F, was found lying at the side of the road in Flaine, France.
It is understood he had been on a week-long break with friends and spent the night of March 30 in the social bar of the Grand Massif alpine sports domain.
He was found unconscious at the side of the road the next morning, and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Gendarmes from nearby Scionzier are carrying out enquiries in the area.
A source said: “The deceased’s body was found late in the evening lying by a road nearby.
“Efforts were made to revive him, but he was declared dead at the scene. We are appealing to anybody who might have seen him on the night of March 30 – a Wednesday – to come forward.
“The aim is to try and piece together the circumstances leading up to this tragic death.”
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who died in France and are in touch with the local authorities.”
Flaine is known as the “big snowy bowl” in skiing circles owing to its abundance of snow in the area during the season.
It comes as another British skier was found unconscious on a slope in the Alps on March 24.
An investigating source said at the time: “Emergency services were alerted at 9.40 am on Sunday morning, but the first team on the scene was unable to resuscitate the man.
"He was alone on the slopes, but further enquiries suggested he was on holiday from England with a friend."
The tragedies in Meribel-Mottaret, in the Savoie region of France, are the latest in a series of fatalities involving skiers in the French alps.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mystery-british-skier-27-found-26692628
Richard Moore, 48, cyclist, writer and podcaster
April 15, 2022
Richard Moore, who has died suddenly aged 48, was an international bike racer and writer who enhanced the sports media landscape with the foundation of the Cycling Podcast, created with his fellow journalists Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie in 2013.
The Cycling Podcast was born when Moore and Birnie were looking for work at the 2013 Tour de France, having lost a magazine writing gig shortly before it started. Offering a daily bulletin from the race, their deep knowledge, passion for the sport and contrasting presenting styles – the erudite Birnie, Friebe more intense, Moore the laid-back anchorman – made the podcast an instant hit with cycling fans.
After an earlier marriage which ended in divorce, in 2012 Moore married Virginie Pierret, with whom he had a son, Maxime; in 2020 the family moved to northern France, where Moore died [March 22] the night after reporting on the Gent-Wevelgem one-day classic.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/news/richard-moore-obituary/ar-AAWg9C1
Aïssa Kerifa, tireless outstretched hand towards the most deprived, died; militant of many causes, Aïssa Kerifa was going to be 60 years old; his sudden death on Sunday caused a lot of emotion in Roubaix
April 18, 2022
“He devoted his life to helping others and sharing good humor around him. This is how one of Aïssa Kerifa's daughters describes her father, who died suddenly on Sunday. A perpetual outstretched hand, which throughout his life " has been keen to support the most fragile", describes Mustapha Lougrada, one of his fellow soldiers.
"He was a hyperactive person who needed to be of service", retains Mustapha Lougrada who evokes the political side of his activism which he shared with Aïssa Kerifa. He had been hired under the PS label on Pierre Dubois' list before joining France Insoumise during the 2020 municipal elections and appearing on the left union list led by Karima Delli, during the 2021 regionals. And a few days ago, "he was at the Pile distributing leaflets to thank the voters of Jean-Luc Mélenchon".
No cause of death reported.
Mireille Joly, 54
April 14, 2022
Mireille Joly, née Turban, died suddenly on Tuesday April 12 in Charleville, leaving her family and friends in shock.
Close to nature, she liked to walk in the forest and go in the evening to observe deer. Sparkling, she loved life, movement, good times with family or friends. Always ready to help or to please, she was available for everyone. She was 54 years old.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.estrepublicain.fr/societe/2022/04/14/deces-de-mireille-joly
BELGIUM
A 62-year-old man died in Ypres (West Flanders) on Thursday afternoon after feeling unwell while driving his car, reports HLN.
April 14, 2022
The sexagenarian was with his wife in his car when he suddenly felt unwell. He nevertheless managed to park before his wife called for help. Passers-by and an SMUR team tried to revive him, in vain. The man unfortunately died in the street.
Firefighters set up a tent until his body was picked up by the funeral directors. Part of the D'hondtstraat remained closed to traffic. The victim's wife was taken care of by the social service of the Arro Ieper police zone.
No cause of death reported.
GERMANY
The Gladbeck AfD councilor Michael Lange, 48, died unexpectedly
April 13, 2022
Gladbeck, Germany - The AfD council group in Gladbeck mourns the loss of its member Michael Lange, who died unexpectedly and suddenly at the weekend on the way back to Gladbeck from the AfD state elections in Gelsenkirchen.
The 48-year-old AfD councilor has been a member of the first five-member AfD parliamentary group on the city council since November 2020. Michael Lange was initially a full member of the culture committee until he had to give up this committee membership for professional reasons. However, he still represented the interests of his group in the digitization subcommittee of the main, finance and digitization committee.
"With Michael Lange, we are losing an upright comrade-in-arms who was always loyal to our party, as well as a person whom we also valued as a good friend and will miss sorely," said AfD parliamentary group leader Marco Gräber in recognition of the deceased in a statement.
No cause of death reported.
Schützenverein Baaken in Werne mourns the loss of a particularly loyal member
April 14, 2022
Werne, Germany - Now the death of Dr. Peter Kracht publicly, who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 66. Just a few weeks ago he gave one of his popular lectures on the historical routes through Westphalia in the Stadtmuseum Werne in front of a large audience and promised to come back in the autumn to lecture on another Westphalian topic.
No cause of death reported.
Cabaret artist Hans Fric, 67, is dead; the Reichenbach "Theater in der Traube" mourns the loss of its founding member
April 13, 2022
Lautertal, Germany - The cabaret artist Hans Frick is dead, Kabarettit announces. In 1998, Frick was a founding member of an association that dealt with the development and production of cabaret programs. After some time, cooperative organizers were found in the "Traube" in Reichenbach.
Hans Frick died suddenly at the end of March at the age of 67. He leaves behind two children and grandchildren. Most recently, the cabaret artist lived in Griesheim (Darmstadt-Dieburg district).
“With a keen eye for detail, creative imagination and boundless technical competence, he also designed the sets for productions where he was not on the stage himself. You could rely on Hans, he was always present and on hand with creative solutions to problems,” says Kabarettit.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.echo-online.de/lokales/bergstrasse/lautertal/kabarettist-hans-frick-ist-tot_25474225
CZECH REPUBLIC
Josef Alois Náhlovský, 72, will be missed by many
April 14, 2022
A week ago, an extremely sad news shook the world of Czech television entertainment. After a short but serious illness, the popular entertainer and moderator Josef Alois Náhlovský died suddenly. The artist was extremely popular among the audience and his colleagues, as evidenced by their abundant participation in his funeral, which took place on Thursday morning in the crematorium in Prague's Strašnice.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.kafe.cz/celebrity/josef-alois-nahlovsky-pohreb.html
POLAND
Tragedy in the water park, the man is dead
April 15, 2022
A tragedy in the Suwałki water park. A 65-year-old man is dead. The tragic event took place last Saturday (09/04). A man relaxing in the Suwałki water park suddenly collapsed.
Unfortunately, despite the resuscitation carried out by the rescuers, the man died after being transported to the hospital. The case was dealt with by the prosecutor's office, which initiated an investigation into the manslaughter. Radio 5, Krystyna Szóstka, the district prosecutor in Suwałki, informed that an autopsy of the man was ordered and witnesses were interviewed. Investigators also secured recordings from the monitoring system in the water park.
https://radio5.com.pl/2022/04/tragedia-w-aquaparku-nie-zyje-mezczyzna/
When this world-wide fraud and tragedy becomes recognized, your documentation will be invaluable. It makes me so sad, but I read every word. These victims deserve to be recognized by name!
So tragic and so many!