In memory of those who "died suddenly" in the United States, May 10-16 (Part 2)
Discover more from News from Underground by Mark Crispin Miller
In memory of those who "died suddenly" in the United States, May 10-16 (Part 2)
Filmmaker Michael Gill, three journalists, two college seniors, a high school student, an 8th-grader, two chefs and all too many more, including a pianist who "died suddenly" performing a concerto
UNITED STATES (cont’d)
Michael Gill, 45, director, producer, editor and cinematographer has died suddenly, but peacefully, of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles
May 13, 2022
Michael Gill, 45, filmmaker, musician and beloved by creatives from Boston to Hollywood, died suddenly but peacefully of natural cause at his home in Los Angeles, California on May 6, 2022.
Tim McCain aka (Tiny) ‘Talon Falls’ Star dies unexpectedly
May 10, 2022
Tim McCain aka (Tiny), ‘Talon Falls’ Star, has passed away unexpectedly. His death has been confirmed by Shell Ferren, through an online post. The circumstances surrounding his death has not been made public at the time of this publication.
“We are very saddened to hear about the recent loss of Tim McCain aka (Tiny) who was a very iconic character out at Talon Falls who played Pervis in the Talon Falls movie”, Shell Ferren announced.
Age, cause of death not reported.
https://www.topinfoguide.com/usacrime/2022/05/10/tim-mccain/
A pianist “died suddenly” performing a concerto:
Concert pianist who suffered heart failure during a concerto performance, has died
May 12, 2022
Alexander Toradze, 69, a solo classical concert pianist who was best known for his Russian repertoire, has died in hospital aged 69. On 23 April, the Georgian-American pianist performed two concertos with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, USA, both during the first half of a concert.
During the second of the two concertos, he experienced acute heart failure while performing, but Toradze kept on playing, unaware of the medical danger.
The musician was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center the following day, where doctors told him what had happened on stage, and he was kept in hospital for observation, before being released.
Toradze died just over two weeks later on 10 May at his home in South Bend, Indiana. He had been due to perform Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Illinois Philharmonic this coming Saturday.
The Georgian-American pianist was just a few days off his 70th birthday.
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/heart-failure-concerto-pianist-dies/
Two college students “died suddenly” their senior year:
Amateur boxer dies suddenly 5 days before his college graduation
May 11, 2022
Rome, GA - It was an emotional moment when a family walked across the stage and accepted their loved one’s college diploma after he died 5 days before graduation. Former Rockdale High student Barron Mann was all set to graduate with honors from Shorter University in Rome, GA, before he died. Now, his mother wants to honor him by giving out scholarships to those who helped her and her through some tough times.
Since Barron couldn’t walk across the stage to receive his diploma, Shorter University allowed his family to come on stage and accept it. Barron’s brother, dressed in his cap and gown, became emotional. The crowd gave the family a standing ovation.
It came 5 days after Barron suddenly died in his mother’s home in Conyers. “I heard him come to the stairs and he said we got to go to the hospital. I can’t breathe,” Thornton recalled.
Barron was seemingly healthy. An amateur boxer. A member of the wrestling team at Rockdale High.
“He worked out 5 five days a week on his own,’ his mother pointed out. She says he recently developed asthma and had to use an asthma pump. But she says it didn’t stop him from boxing or other athletic activities.
Thornton says the coroner is still trying to figure out how her son died. “He said other than the asthma we see nothing else,” she explained.
“Shorter University does not require its faculty, staff, or students to be vaccinated or show proof of vaccination. Campus community members should consult with their physician or other health care provider regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Some entities, such as an athletic conference, student teaching placement sites, clinical sites, etc., may require vaccinations for participation.”
https://www.shorter.edu/covid-19-protocol/
Fordham Mourns the Passing of Senior Student Vincent Harris, 21
May 13, 2022
Harris, a senior in Fordham College at Rose Hill and leader in campus life who was beloved not only for his enthusiasm and warmth but also for his sense of humility and ethic of service, died suddenly on May 10. He was 21 years old.
Harris played numerous leadership roles—in ASILI, the Black student alliance; in Fordham’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, or CSTEP; and at Loschert Hall, where he served as a resident assistant. He served on the University’s undergraduate advising task force, and he was part of a team working with philosophy professors to add diverse voices to the department’s curriculum as part of a Teaching Race Across the Curriculum grant.
He was a leader among his friends, too, always ready to help them or dispense a wise word when it was needed. “There wasn’t a moment when Vincent wasn’t a big brother to us,” said one of his friends, Anita Adu Manu, a fellow Fordham College at Rose Hill senior. “He taught me so much, and we’re all going to miss him.”
Harris was serious and hard-working, and always got things done on time, but he could also be “a goofy guy,” and fun-loving, said Rashain Adams Jr., president of ASILI. “He was extremely authentic, and one of a kind,” Adams said.
No cause of death reported.
Fordham University has implemented policies to keep our community safe and all students attending courses on-site are expected to adhere to all COVID-19 policies. Students must be fully vaccinated and will be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to their first class meeting.
https://www.fordham.edu/info/30571/college_at_60/12430/covid_policy
A high school student “died suddenly”:
Body of Michigan 17-year-old missing since January has been found, police say
May 12, 2022
Detroit, MI – A confession has led police to the body of a 17-year-old Michigan girl who had been missing since January, WXYZ Detroit reports. The body of Zion Foster, of Eastpointe, was deeply buried, police said.
Foster was last seen on Jan. 4, with her cousin Jaylin Brazier, 23. In March, Brazier admitted to throwing Foster’s body in a dumpster after she suddenly died while they were together. He has been convicted of lying to police in this case and sentenced to 23-48 months in prison. It’s unclear if the confession leading to the body came from Brazier or someone else.
The cause of death has not been released. No further information is available at this time.
An 8th-grader “died suddenly after a medical emergency”:
'Our whole community is mourning': Papillion 8th grader dies after medical episode at school
May 10, 2022
PAPILLION, Neb. — An eighth-grader in Papillion died after a medical emergency at school. Jagger Shaw, an eighth-grader, went to the nurses office Friday. From there, paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he died. “Friday morning, we had to call the rescue squad to Liberty Middle School,”...
Three journalists “died suddenly”:
News Tribune general manager dies unexpectedly
May 13, 2022
David Meadows would walk through the Jefferson City, MO, News Tribune newsroom every few hours during the work day. A tall man, it seemed his long legs carried him through in just a few strides as he glided by.
But, occasionally, Meadows would stop and chat with reporters, sharing his sense of humor and self-deprecation. For instance, reporters always seemed to know it was about lunchtime when they smelled burnt popcorn from his nearby office. He took their ribbing courteously.
It didn't seem like he'd been part of the newsroom long before he was gone. Meadows, who was 58, died Wednesday night. He is survived by his wife, Dianna, and their two sons, Connor and Garrett.
Nat Lea IV, president and chief executive officer of WEHCO Media, owners of Central Missouri Newspapers Inc., said of Meadows: "David was a fine person and a great leader; he will be missed. I was shocked to hear of his passing. Certainly my thoughts today have been with his family and our co-workers in the Jefferson City operation."
Mark Lane, president of WEHCO Newspaper Division, added Thursday: "Mr. Meadows was an amazing leader who cared deeply for the News Tribune, Fulton Sun, California Democrat and all other businesses associated with the Central Missouri Newspapers Company.
"It was my honor to have the opportunity to work with such a talented professional," Lane said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Meadows family."
No cause of death reported.
https://www.fultonsun.com/news/2022/may/13/news-tribune-general-manager-dies-unexpectedly/
Dustin Barnes, USA TODAY trending editor who 'inspired creativity,' dead at 38
May 12, 2022
Dustin Barnes, a Mississippi-raised journalist who became a USA TODAY trending editor known for his professional acumen and irrepressible joy, was found dead Wednesday at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 38.
Barnes had been recovering from a heart attack and was discovered by co-workers who went to check on him, according to his mother, Sheila Barnes. She said both the heart attack and death were unexpected.
https://news.yahoo.com/dustin-barnes-usa-today-trending-223312690.html?guccounter=1
Barnes' tweet when he was hospitalized
Anne E. Nixon Death: Researcher and Journalist Anne E. Nixon dies unexpectedly, Cause of Death
May 10, 2022
Anne E. Nixon, Researcher and Journalist, has passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. [Her] death has been confirmed by Todd Slaughter, through an online post. The circumstances surrounding [her] death has not been made public at the time of this publication.
“Anne has been a good friend to the [Elvis Presley] fan club and was a researcher for radio, TV, publications and myself for six decades. She scripted the first guided tour of Memphis for the fan club in 1972, which is still used today.”
https://www.topinfoguide.com/usacrime/2022/05/10/anne-e-nixon/
Black River selling shirts to honor Joe Schuler, support students
May 14, 2022
HOLLAND — Black River Public School is selling shirts to honor the legacy of Joe Schuler, a teacher and coach who unexpectedly died at age 23 in February.
The effort was led by BR teacher Krista Ekdahl and parent Ashley Huizenga. It came out of a conversation during the school’s annual Rat Race to support athletics.
“We wanted to memorialize him in some way,” Ekdahl said. “We thought ‘How can we do something for both Joe and our kids?’ The idea came to run the Rat Race in honor of him, then this blossomed through that.”
https://news.yahoo.com/black-river-selling-shirts-honor-100050483.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Zina Bleck, theater director
May 13, 2022
Zina Bleck, 60, a program analyst at the Federal Aviation Administration who helped promote community theater in Northern Virginia, directing and acting in dozens of plays and founding the Arlington theater company Zemfira Stage, died March 26 at her companion’s home in Hyattsville, Md. The cause was a cardiovascular disease, said her companion, Leonard Hughes.
Ms. Bleck was born in California and grew up in Los Angeles. After moving to the Washington area to work for Northrop Grumman, she joined local theater groups including the Reston Community Players. She was later the artistic director of Castaways Repertory Theatre in Woodbridge, and became known for discovering talented but inexperienced actors and casting them without regard to race, gender or disability.
“She took an Air Force colonel with no experience other than a small part in her ‘Camelot’ and cast him as the lead in ‘Godspell,’ and he was incredible,” said Hughes, a former Washington Post editor and theater reviewer. “She cast a blind woman as a lead in ‘The Producers,’ and she brought down the house.”
Man found dead off Sanitas Ridge Trail in Boulder
May 16, 2022
21-year-old man was found dead Sunday just off the Sanitas Ridge Trail in the foothills west of Boulder.
According to a release, dispatchers received a call at 3:22 p.m. Sunday from a passerby who saw what appeared to be a body on Boulder open space.
Rescue crews responded and found a man dead at the scene. After investigating the scene, the body was evacuated out to the trailhead.
At this time, there does not appear to be any signs of foul play, according to the release.
https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/05/16/man-found-dead-off-sanitas-ridge-trail-in-boulder/
Jill Janette Rich, 58
May 16, 2022
Jill Janette Rich, age 58, died unexpectedly in her home in Warrenton, Oregon on May 12, 2022. She was a devoted mother to her four children and loved them very much. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and had a passion for gardening, decorating, camping, and shopping for a great bargain. She had recently become a grandma who loved and adored her two granddaughters with all her heart. A big part of her life was her two French Bulldogs, Tidus and Karma, she loved to take them on walks and would take them with her on all of her outdoor adventures.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/jill-rich-obituary?id=34758963
Bradley A. “Brad” Holbrook, 53
May 16, 2022
Bradley A. “Brad” Holbrook, age 53, of Alexandria, MN, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Alomere Health.
Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409.
No cause of death reported.
Jonathan R. Haber, 60
May 11, 2022
On Sunday, May 8, 2022, Jonathan "Jon" Richard Haber of Lexington, MA, passed away at the age of 60 [sudden heart attack: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-05-15-remembering-jonathan-haber-who-taught-so-many-to-think-critically].
Jon worked as a journalist, author, CEO, and most recently an educational consultant. He wrote several books, including MOOCs and Critical Thinking for the MIT Press, as well as The Usable Portable Guide, a manual to early word processing software which he co-authored with his father. He was also a founding employee of the Woodrow Wilson Graduate School of Teaching and Learning, and consulted with a number of educational companies and nonprofits such as HarvardX and the Public Consulting Group in the areas of course development, educational assessment, and online learning.
Those lucky enough to know Jon recognized his dedication to his friends, sharp intelligence and wit, creative drive, and his active participation in the community. He was even more intensely dedicated to his family, and was a consistent source of support through all their endeavors. Jon especially loved to watch and discuss movies with his family and friends. An Eagle Scout and lover of the outdoors, he was an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 119, of which his sons were members. Jon was also an active congregant at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, where he served on the Bereavement and Israel Action committees.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/jonathan-haber-obituary?pid=201978723
Westchester Native Who Was Photographer, Former High School Athlete Dies At Age 27
May 15, 2022
A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, who worked as a freelance photographer and a carpenter, has died unexpectedly at age 27. Putnam County, NY, resident Ryan Daly, of Mahopac, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 11, according to his obituary.
Daly was born in North Tarrytown, and he was a graduate of Mahopac High School with the class of 2012, his obituary said. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. During his time at school, he also played football, basketball, and lacrosse, his obituary said.
"He had an eye behind the lens and captured so many wonderful pictures," his obituary reads. "He was one of kind and brought much love and joy to everyone he met. He loved spending time with his family and friends making people smile. He had the most infectious laugh."
No cause of death reported.
Jordan Taylor Christopherson, 44
May 15, 2022
Las Vegas, NV - After just a few short weeks reconnecting with his family and friends, Jordan died suddenly on the evening of April 29th, 2022. He had just begun to make a determined recovery after spending months in the hospital with covid.
Jordan has always been a person who thrived in challenging situations and the last few months of his life showcased this ability to its fullest. Many times in his life he has defied the odds and accomplished the seemingly impossible.
He spent 44 years seeing exactly what he could get away with, and as a result ended up living more life than most people twice his age. He spent a great deal of time pushing limits and an equal amount of time making amends. He could talk to anyone and talk his way out of anything. Sometimes misdirected, often misunderstood and always confident he could overcome any obstacle in front of him. Just about the only thing that never described him is boring.
He opened his heart to many and loved immensely. He wanted to go beyond the horizon in every experience and possessed an eternal curiosity about what existed right on the edge in life. Because of this, he achieved depth, perspective, compassion, and even a Guinness World Record. Still, the most impressive accomplishment he achieved was to take responsibility for his own life.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/jordan-christopherson-obituary?id=34751059
Kenneth R. Svoboda, 53
May 13, 2022
Fairmont, MN — Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth R. Svoboda, 53, of Fairmont, Minn., formerly of rural Jackson, Minn., will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 16, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jackson, with burial in Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, Jackson.
Svoboda died suddenly Tuesday morning, May 10, 2022, in Fairmont.
No cause of death reported.
https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/obituaries/2022/05/13/kenneth-r-svoboda/
Lenin Javier Romero Munguia, 39
May 11, 2022
Lenin Javier Romero Munguia, age 39, of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 5, 2022. The family is deeply saddened by his sudden death.
Lenin worked for Pleasant Motor Company for 15 years as a car sales manager where he became part of the Pleasant family, and previously was in the military. He most recently worked with R.M. Construction.
Lenin’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his family and hear his daughters laugh. He was a proud husband and father, and fiercely loved his girls. Anyone who knew Lenin was touched by his kindness, humor and mild temperament. He was truly a peacemaker and was always a source of positivity.
No cause of death reported.
https://portcitydaily.com/obits/2022/05/11/lenin-javier-romero-munguia-39/
Jesse Scott Kammer, 27, RIP
Jesse Scott Kammer, age 27, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022 in Kenosha, WI.
Jesse was born on June 12, 1994 at Kenosha Memorial Hospital. He was the son of Scott Kammer and Patricia Asboth. He attended Wheatland Grade School and was a graduate of Wilmot High School.
Jesse was a Forex Trader and Metaverse Architect along with being a true entrepreneur.
Jesse was a passionate man who touched so many lives worldwide. He lived by the mantra “H.O.P.E.” Help One Person Every day. Jesse enjoyed frolfing, mountain biking, free boarding, hiking, meditation, and loved all outdoor activities, his priority was always his family.
https://kenoshafuneralhome.com/obituaries/jesse-s-kammer/2057/
Former Des Plaines Alderman Tom Becker, 64, Passes Away
May 13, 2022
Longtime Des Plaines, IL, alderman Tom Becker, who played an instrumental role in bringing Rivers Casino to Des Plaines, died suddenly early Friday morning at his home on Morse Avenue.
Becker, 64, served on Des Plaines City Council from 1999 to 2007 representing the city’s far south 6th ward.
Des Plaines Fire Department paramedics responded to his home at about 12:40 a.m. Friday for a person unresponsive. It’s believed he died of a heart attack.
“Tom was a kind-hearted, giving and sensitive person to other peoples’ needs,” said fellow city council member Carla Brookman (5th) on Friday.
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/former-des-plaines-alderman-tom-becker-64-passes-away/
Vlad Portnoy, Portfolio Manager at Point72’s Cubist, Dies at 50
May 11, 2022
New York - Vlad Portnoy, a portfolio manager at Point72 Asset Management, died Saturday morning of a sudden heart attack. He was 50, according to his wife, Irina Sheynfeld.
Portnoy had led a team of quants at a Jefferies Financial Group Inc. hedge fund before joining billionaire Steve Cohen’s firm, where he worked for Cubist Systematic Strategies, the quantitative investing business.
Portnoy was born in Ukraine, according to Sheynfeld, where the two went to the same Odesa high school. His interests were so broad that it was difficult for her to put into one paragraph: He loved Sviatoslav Richter’s recording of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, ballet, art, theoretical physics, opera, and the family’s miniature labradoodle, Luke Skywalker.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vlad-portnoy-portfolio-manager-point72-171252414.html
A mysterious accident:
Small plane crash lands on SUV on Miami bridge, 1 killed, 6 injured
May 15, 2022
A small plane crashed landed on an SUV car on a Miami bridge in US on Sunday afternoon, killing a person on the spot and leaving six injured. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
The clip that went viral on Twitter showed smoke and fire rising from the wreckage at 108 Street and Collins Avenue near Haulover Beach.
Two chefs “died suddenly”:
Beloved Long Beach, CA, chef Arthur Gonzalez, behind Panxa Cocina, Hidewway and Roe, has died
May 11, 2022
Long Beach’s food and drink community woke up to learn the news today of the untimely death of pioneering chef Arthur Gonzalez. According to a post on Caring Bridge, Gonzalez suffered a heart attack on Saturday, May 7th at 12:30 AM. He split his time between his Long Beach New Mexican restaurant Panxa Cocina and Tribe at Riverwalk in Castle Rock, Colorado. He was at his Colorado home when it happened. After the sudden heart attack, he fell into a medically induced and natural coma after he underwent two surgeries—one to insert a stint into his right ventricle and another to insert a heart pump on his left side. He was on a ventilator before dying.
An outpouring of support including social media posts full of tributes from Gonzalez’s friends and foodservice family around Long Beach started to show up late last night. He leaves behind his wife, Vanessa Auclair, and three dogs, Prince, Cash, and Gracie.
No age reported.
https://www.lataco.com/panxa-cocina-chef-arthur-gonzalez/
Support Rises For Family After Sudden Death Of Devoted North Jersey Caretaker, Skilled Chef, 32
May 16, 2022
Support is on the rise for the heartbroken family of devoted North Jersey caretaker and talented chef Zachary R. Fleischmann, who died unexpectedly on Friday, April 22 at the age of 32.
Zachary spent the last three years as a devoted caretaker to his 97-year-old grandmother, Cornelia, and had frequently visited New York City to attend comedy shows and patronize new restaurants, according to his memorial.
Zachary previously worked as a chef at the Rockaway River Country Club in Denville and was known for his love and talent for cooking.
He also had a passion for spending time outdoors and was able to point out various constellations in the night sky. Above all, Zachary was known for his profound love for his many friends and family members and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
“The sudden and unexpected death of Zach Fleischmann has [devastated] both his friends and family,” reads the campaign. “He was a beautiful soul inside and out who was always cracking jokes and helping out others.”
No cause of death reported.
In memory of those who "died suddenly" in the United States, May 10-16 (Part 2)
suddenly, but peacefully, of natural causes ............?
Does anyone even think anymore before they write this stuff?
We also need to wonder how many are dying suddenly behind the wheel. The uptick in car accidents has been duly noted by mainstream schlock media but their suppositions as to cause are ridiculous.