Sterling, VA
Obituaries
'He Was The Happiest Man We Knew': Sterling Man Killed In Crash Days Before 25th Birthday 'He Was The Happiest Man We Knew': Sterling Man Killed In Crash Days Before 25th Birthday 'He Was The Happiest Man We Knew': Sterling Man Killed In Crash Days Before 25th Birthday
'He Was The Happiest Man We Knew': Sterling Man Killed In Crash Days Before 25th Birthday Shawneil Clarke Alexander is being remembered as a "truly kind and beautiful soul" after his unexpected death in Virginia. Alexander, 24, was struck and killed before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, by a driver near the intersection of Route 7 and Palisades Parkway in Sterling, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene two days before his 25th birthday. His death remains under investigation, but the outpouring of support for his family has been immediate. "The community lost a beautiful soul this past weekend," one loved one wrote. "Most knew hi…

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by Zak Failla
Elizabeth, NJ
Obituaries
Elizabeth Native Marcos Diaz Dies At 38, Leaving Behind Grieving Parents, Brother Elizabeth Native Marcos Diaz Dies At 38, Leaving Behind Grieving Parents, Brother Elizabeth Native Marcos Diaz Dies At 38, Leaving Behind Grieving Parents, Brother
Elizabeth Native Marcos Diaz Dies At 38, Leaving Behind Grieving Parents, Brother Marcos Diaz, an Elizabeth native and devoted New York Mets fan, died Friday, Aug. 28, at 38 years old, according to his obituary on the Gorny & Gorny Funeral Home website. Diaz was born Aug. 7, 1988, to Milagro and Rolando Diaz, and enjoyed baseball, going to the gym, and following sports, according to his obituary. He was known for his extensive knowledge of teams, players, games, and statistics, and also enjoyed heights and spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, Diaz is survived by his brother, Rolando Diaz, and his pet cat, who he loved deaerly. A GoFund…

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by Cecilia Levine
Brandywine, MD
Obituaries
'Forever In Our Hearts': Family Mourns 'Lex' After Fatal Maryland Police Pursuit Crash 'Forever In Our Hearts': Family Mourns 'Lex' After Fatal Maryland Police Pursuit Crash 'Forever In Our Hearts': Family Mourns 'Lex' After Fatal Maryland Police Pursuit Crash
'Forever In Our Hearts': Family Mourns 'Lex' After Fatal Maryland Police Pursuit Crash Alexis Cummings' family is preparing to say goodbye. Days after a police pursuit ended in a violent Maryland crash that left the 33-year-old fighting for her life, relatives have launched a fundraiser to help give “Lex” a proper Celebration of Life. Cummings, a Temple Hills native, was identified on Monday, Aug. 31, as the woman who died following the Aug. 25 crash on Route 301 in Brandywine. Her death was confirmed as the Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division also released the names of the two Charles County Sheriff's Office officers involved in the pursuit. For…

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by Zak Failla
Alexandria, VA
Obituaries
'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73
'Virginia Lost A Legend': Commonwealth's Longest-Serving Sheriff Dies At 73 For generations of Virginians, there was only one Sheriff Steve Draper. Draper, the longtime Martinsville lawman whose 32 years in office made him the longest-serving active sheriff in the Commonwealth, died on Saturday, Aug. 29.  He was 73. His death ended a remarkable run in public service that stretched back more than half a century. Draper first joined the Martinsville Sheriff's Office in 1973, working as a correctional officer, court bailiff and civil process and transportation officer before eventually making his way to the top. He was elected sheriff in 1993 and took office on Jan…

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Obituaries
She Thought She'd Call Dad Back Later: 'Mo County Legend' Killed In Maryland Crash She Thought She'd Call Dad Back Later: 'Mo County Legend' Killed In Maryland Crash She Thought She'd Call Dad Back Later: 'Mo County Legend' Killed In Maryland Crash
She Thought She'd Call Dad Back Later: 'Mo County Legend' Killed In Maryland Crash Craig Budd Sr. was the guy people called when they needed him. Then his loved ones' lives were turned upside down. Budd was struck and killed in Maryland on Friday night, Aug. 28, just a short time after the call his daughter intended to return once she got settled. “I missed your call, thinking I would get to call you back once I got settled,” ShaVonté wrote in an emotional tribute. “But I never imagined that the ‘later’ would be stolen from me just a short while later.” The crash was reported at approximately 8:10 p.m. near North Frederick Avenue and Professional Drive in Gaithersbur…

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Obituaries
'Gentle Giant': Beloved MCPS Bus Driver Remembered After Heart Attack On Final Route 'Gentle Giant': Beloved MCPS Bus Driver Remembered After Heart Attack On Final Route 'Gentle Giant': Beloved MCPS Bus Driver Remembered After Heart Attack On Final Route
'Gentle Giant': Beloved Mcps Bus Driver Remembered After Heart Attack On Final Route Tuesday morning, Rodney Givens was right where generations of Maryland schoolchildren had come to expect him. Behind the wheel. Hours later, the longtime Montgomery County Public Schools bus driver, husband, father and union leader was gone after suffering what his family says was a heart attack while driving his bus on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Givens was driving MCPS Route 4105 when the medical emergency struck shortly after 3 p.m., according to his family and police. The bus crashed into a utility pole near Central Avenue and Route 355. There were no students aboard, and nobody else was in…

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Obituaries
Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers'
Ashley Bynum Remembered As Family Steps Up For Young Son Malachi With 'Shares, Prayers' A DC family is trying to hold together a little boy's world after his life changed in an instant. Ashley Bynum died unexpectedly this week, leaving behind her son, Malachi, as loved ones mourn her sudden loss and step up for the boy who now has to grow up without his mother. Her sister, Troya Bynum, announced Ashley's death while launching a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and support Malachi in the days ahead. "I am creating this fundraiser with a very heavy heart after the unexpected loss of my beloved sister, Ashley," she wrote. "Ashley was deeply loved by our family, and he…

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by Zak Failla
Trenton, NJ
Obituaries
Brother, Sister Killed In Trenton Fire Mourned Brother, Sister Killed In Trenton Fire Mourned Brother, Sister Killed In Trenton Fire Mourned
Brother, Sister Killed In Trenton Fire Mourned A family is reeling after two of their children, Disleiny, a 7-year-old girl and Rolando, a 4-year-old boy, were killed in a fire in Trenton on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Firefighters responded to the 300 block of Hewitt Street and saw heavy fire coming from a three-story house, 6 ABC reported. One firefighter sustained a mild injury, Trenton police said. Fire officials told 6 ABC the fire began on the first floor and spread quickly throughout the home. The fire has left the family of two adults and six children homeless. "The resulting grief and sense of loss are beyond words," Solange…

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by Sam Barron
Arlington, VA
Obituaries
‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Arlington Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident ‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Arlington Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident ‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Arlington Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident
‘Forever My Daughter’: Dad Mourns Arlington Teen Serene Tayari After Drowning Accident A Saturday night along the Potomac became every Virginia parent's nightmare. Serene Tayari, a 15-year-old from Arlington, died after slipping into the river near the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Washington, DC, on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to reports. Tayari had been sitting on a ledge overlooking the Potomac when she slipped and fell into the water, WUSA9 reported. Someone nearby saw what happened and tried to pull her out, but failed. She was later found by members of the Metropolitan Police Department's Harbor Unit. Tayari was rushed to an area hospital, but could not be saved. "On S…

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by Zak Failla
Montgomery, NJ
Obituaries
Montgomery College Student Killed By Teen Drunk Driver In SC Mourned: Remembering Kat Trent Montgomery College Student Killed By Teen Drunk Driver In SC Mourned: Remembering Kat Trent Montgomery College Student Killed By Teen Drunk Driver In SC Mourned: Remembering Kat Trent
Montgomery College Student Killed By Teen Drunk Driver In SC Mourned: Remembering Kat Trent Kalina "Kat" Trent, a Montgomery native, was set to begin her senior year of college until she was struck and killed by a drunk driver in South Carolina, according to a GoFundMe established to support her family. Trent was attending Coastal Carolina University and was crossing the street at 12:15 a.m. when she was hit by a car on Sunday, Aug. 16. She sustained severe head trauma and spent more than week in intensive care unit on life support until she was pronounced dead on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to the fundraiser. An organ donor, Trent's organs were donated to those in need. "She …

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by Sam Barron
Middletown-Wallkill, NY
Obituaries
Police K9 Dies After Years Serving Wallkill Community: 'Will Not Be Forgotten' Police K9 Dies After Years Serving Wallkill Community: 'Will Not Be Forgotten' Police K9 Dies After Years Serving Wallkill Community: 'Will Not Be Forgotten'
Police K9 Dies After Years Serving Wallkill Community: 'Will Not Be Forgotten' A police department in Orange County is mourning the loss of one of its four-legged members.  The Town of Wallkill Police Department announced the death of K-9 Bane on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The department did not disclose Bane's age or how he died. Bane served alongside his handler and partner, Police Officer Madison Warner, and was remembered by the department for his dedication, courage, and loyalty. "More than a police canine, Bane was a trusted partner, protector, and valued member of the Town of Wallkill Police Department family," the department said. Police added that the r…

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by Ben Crnic
Tappan-Blauvelt, NY
Obituaries
Orangetown Mom Dies After 12-Year Cancer Battle, Leaving Husband, 2 Children Orangetown Mom Dies After 12-Year Cancer Battle, Leaving Husband, 2 Children Orangetown Mom Dies After 12-Year Cancer Battle, Leaving Husband, 2 Children
Orangetown Mom Dies After 12-Year Cancer Battle, Leaving Husband, 2 Children A Rockland County community is rallying around a family after a well-known mother of two died following a more than 12-year battle with cancer.  Orangetown resident Jamie O'Connell died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after battling cancer for 12 and a half years, according to her loved ones.  O'Connell was remembered as a devoted mother to her two children, Kensie and Kellan, and a loving wife to her husband, Kevin.   "Her love for her family was immeasurable and was at the very center of everything she did," wrote Emily Heim, who started a GoFundMe page to raise money for h…

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by Ben Crnic