This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 13)
Reports of healthy, young people dying unexpectedly continue to pour in daily, a phenomenon the media and their doctors are dismissing as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
Out of the many cases sent to Frontline News this week, we have chosen a small handful to include in this report to help shine a spotlight on these ‘unexplained’ deaths.
JoAnne Epps, 72
“Temple University acting president JoAnne A. Epps has died after collapsing at a memorial service Tuesday afternoon, the university said.
"Epps was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, the university said.” — HuffPost
Jeff Powers, 61
“Jeff Powers, who along with his wife founded the popular Bigelow Brewing Co., died suddenly on Tuesday, according to a statement on the brewery’s Facebook page.
No cause of death was immediately given.” — Portland Press Herald
Natasha Hewitt, 35
“The widower of a mum-of-one from Sheffield has told of his heartbreak after his wife's migraine-like symptoms turned out to be a deadly blood clot on her brain.
Natasha Hewitt, 35, was given antibiotics and painkillers for a suspected ear infection by doctors after she attended a walk-in centre.
But two days later, she was admitted to hospital where she was diagnosed with a large blood clot called a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. She was transferred to specialist brain unit for surgery, but tragically died two days later.” — Yorkshire Live
Tony Bundy, 53
"The sudden death of Tony Bundy - a fit, healthy 53-year-old - came as a huge shock to everyone who knew him. And for the family, including his son James - a councillor in Falkirk - the loss is still raw and painful.
"Tony died on June 29, in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, after collapsing four days earlier, as he waited in a corridor to get treatment. Just days before that, he had also attended his GP, saying that he felt unwell.
"Tony suffered a massive stroke - but the symptoms that he showed were not the classic ones that public health advice warns us to look for in the FAST messaging. There was no Facial drooping, Arm weakness, or Slurred speech.
"They now know that the type of stroke that Tony had - a Basilar Artery Ischaemic Stroke - was at the base of his brain. Usually, a stroke happens on either side of the brain, leading to the familiar symptoms.
"In James' father's case, the stroke at the base of his brain affected his breathing, heart rate and swallowing. His symptoms included dizziness, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, slow speech and being unable to stand - but because he passed the 'FAST' test, a stroke was not considered." — Daily Record
Michael Keane, 34
“A 34-year-old youth football coach in Kentucky died after suffering a medical emergency during a round of games over the weekend.
“‘While coaching his son’s Peewee football game Saturday, he collapsed on the field,' a GoFundMe created by Kristyn Russell said. 'He ended up suffering a massive heart attack.'" — KPLC
Tonya Briggs, 44
“Lafayette City Councilmember Tonya Briggs has died.
"According to a Monday news release from Lafayette, Briggs died ‘suddenly’ Saturday at the age of 44. No cause has been given at this time.” — Daily Camera
Lucas Martin, 21
"Loving tributes have been paid to an ‘amazing’ Manx man and a ‘friend to many’ who has died suddenly at the age of 21.
"Lucas Martin, from St Mark’s, passed away last week after contracting meningitis.
"The University of Liverpool graduate and talented sportsman had been playing football just days before his tragic death.
"Prior to his passing, Lucas had signed up to become an organ donor and had actively encouraged his friends to do the same." — Isle of Man Today
Satvir Gill, 28
"Tributes have been paid to a 'bubbly' and 'always smiling' 28-year-old after she died suddenly.
"The Gill family, who are well-known across Teesside for owning popular Thornaby fish and chip shop Red Rose Chippy, were left devastated last month after Satvir Gill, the youngest daughter of Harvinder and Sukhver, tragically lost her life.
"The 28-year-old - who has been described as a 'happy and vibrant' character by her family - sadly died from a cardiac arrest following an asthma attack." — Teesside Live
Kevin West, 61
"Kevin West, longtime WGOW radio program director who recently became public information officer for the Chattanooga Police Department, died unexpectedly Monday morning. He was 61.
"Friends said Mr. West had worked out, then went into his office. He had walked out of his office when he collapsed." — Chattanoogan
Israeli man, 55
“As of Sunday evening, United Hatzalah [EMT] volunteers have provided medical assistance to more than 1,000 individuals near [a Jewish pilgrimage site] in Uman, Ukraine. A 55-year-old Israeli man passed away near the end of the [Jewish New Year] after suddenly losing consciousness. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.” — Jewish Press
Ellie Kempley, 23
"The family of a 23-year-old woman who suddenly passed away 'without warning or reason' have paid tribute to her saying she was 'always smiling.'
"Ellie Kempley, from Harrogate, passed away in September 2022 after enjoying a typical Friday evening with her family. Ellie's brother, James, went to check on his sister after getting a 'funny feeling' and found her unresponsive. The nursery teacher, who was mid-way through an AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma, had no symptoms or warning signs whatsoever, at the time of her death according to her family.
"It was later revealed, following a postmortem, that Ellie died from SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome). The family were left shocked, angry and heartbroken by Ellie's sudden passing." — Yorkshire Live
Uchenna Okoye, 53
"'This Morning' star Dr Uchenna Okoye has died aged 53, it has been confirmed.
"The medical expert died on Friday (September 15) following a sudden illness." — Metro
Dennis D’Agostino, 66
"The New York sports market and sports world at large are mourning the loss of a longtime communications member.
"Dennis D’Agostino died suddenly overnight, the SNY broadcast and NBA announced Sunday. SNY said he was 66 years old." — NJ.com
Greg Lloyd, 51
"An 'energetic' dad-of-two and serving police officer died days after suffering from a heart attack in his sleep. PC Greg Lloyd, 51, was a 'real family man' and was a fit and healthy officer for South Wales Police before he had a heart attack on Tuesday, August 16, last year. Tragically he died five days later.
"That night changed his family's life forever and they're still struggling to come to terms with the shock of losing him a year on from his death. Describing that night his wife and partner of 32 years Louise said: 'It had been a normal Monday but in the middle of the night Greg suffered a heart attack in his sleep followed by a cardiac arrest.'" — Wales Online
Sean Feeny, 29
"A fundraiser has been launched for a 29-year-old Cork dad who died suddenly two weeks ago, who was described as 'always having a smile' on his face.
"Sean Feeney passed away on the evening of Sunday, September 3 in the Ballyvoloon/Hilltop Park area of Cobh." — Extra.ie
See also:
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol.12)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol.11)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol.10)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 9)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 8)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 7)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 6)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 5)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 4)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 3)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly (Vol. 2)
- This week in #DiedSuddenly
