MTV Icon Ananda Lewis Dies After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Battle At 52 MTV Icon Ananda Lewis Dies After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Battle At 52
MTV Icon Ananda Lewis Dies After Stage 4 Breast Cancer Battle At 52 Ananda Lewis, a fixture on MTV in the 90s, has died after a battle with breast cancer, family members announced Wednesday, June 11 on Facebook. She was 52.  A Howard University graduate, Lewis got her big break when she auditioned for an on-screen job hosting "Teen Summit" on BET in DC, where she discussed serious issues impacting young adults. Among the highlights of her early career was a 1996 interview with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton about her book. Lewis went on to be a video jockey with MTV, where she hosted and "VJed" multiple shows, including "Total Request Live," which wa…
Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Air Traffic Controller Who Died At Work At 33 Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Air Traffic Controller Who Died At Work At 33
Community Rallies Around Family Of CT Air Traffic Controller Who Died At Work At 33 Hundreds of people have donated to help a Connecticut family after their father and husband died unexpectedly while at work.  Mario Villegas of East Granby was just 33 years old when he passed away last week, leaving behind his wife, Britnee, and their two young children, Luca and Milo. A GoFundMe for his family has raised nearly $70,000 as of Wednesday afternoon, June 4.  Organizers of the fundraiser said Villegas was a kind and caring man who always put his family first.  Mario was, above all, a devoted family man whose greatest joy came from sharing life's moments with th…
‘Heart Of His Home’: Fairfield Rallies To Support Family After Father's Sudden Death ‘Heart Of His Home’: Fairfield Rallies To Support Family After Father's Sudden Death
‘Heart Of His Home’: Fairfield Rallies To Support Family After Father's Sudden Death Residents of a Connecticut community are coming together in a show of compassion and solidarity following the sudden death of a longtime local and beloved father. He was just 60 years old.  Jim Paladino, of Fairfield, remembered as a devoted husband, father of three, and cherished community figure, died unexpectedly on May 20, leaving behind a grieving family and stunned town. In the days since his passing, neighbors, friends, and even strangers have mobilized to help the Paladino family as they navigate their loss. A GoFundMe for them has raised more than $33,000 as of Friday, May 30.…
Longtime Kool & The Gang Member Killed In Car Crash Longtime Kool & The Gang Member Killed In Car Crash
Longtime Kool & The Gang Member Killed In Car Crash The popular band Kool & The Gang is mourning the death of a beloved member. Michael Sumler was killed in a car crash in Mableton, Georgia, over Memorial Day weekend when the car he was driving collided with another vehicle just before midnight Saturday, May 24, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Known as Chicago Mike, Sumler was known for hyping the crowd "with his energy and dance moves," the band said in a statement on social media, saying as wardrobe valet, he made sure "the guys looked their best on stage every night." The 71-year-old Sumler was with the band from 2000 to 2015. Kool…
Retired Greenwich Hero Officer Dies After Battle With Cancer: 'We Will Miss Him Every Day' Retired Greenwich Hero Officer Dies After Battle With Cancer: 'We Will Miss Him Every Day'
Retired Greenwich Hero Officer Dies After Battle With Cancer: 'We Will Miss Him Every Day' A highly decorated, retired Greenwich police officer and US Marine — widely supported by the community during his battle with brain cancer — has passed away. He was just 63 years old. Robert Hansen Jr., the son of a retired Greenwich detective, joined the department in 1987 after serving in the Marine Corps. He served with distinction until his retirement in 2016 and continued his commitment to public service as a special officer even after stepping down, the department said.  Hansen gained local acclaim in 2009 after he saved an elderly woman who became lost during a snowstorm. He fou…
Music Legend Rick Derringer Dies Music Legend Rick Derringer Dies
Music Legend Rick Derringer Dies Classic rock legend Rick Derringer has died. Derringer, who was 77, was best known as the singer of Hang on Sloopy as a member of the McCoys, and writer of Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo and Hulk Hogan’s Real American wrestling theme. He died on Monday, May 26 in Ormond Beach, Florida, his caretaker and close friend Tony Wilson posted on social media. No cause of death was given. An Ohio native, Derringer was a versatile musician, who began playing local gigs with his uncle shortly after receiving a guitar at age 9, according to Variety. Hang on Sloopy climbed to the top of the charts in…
'Duck Dynasty' Legend Phil Robertson Dies At 79: 'Gone To Be With The Lord' 'Duck Dynasty' Legend Phil Robertson Dies At 79: 'Gone To Be With The Lord'
'Duck Dynasty' Legend Phil Robertson Dies At 79: 'Gone To Be With The Lord' Months after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has died at 79, his family confirmed. Loved ones took to social media on Sunday, May 25, to share the news of Robertson's passing with members of the famous family sharing the news and memories of their patriarch.  "My dad has gone to be with the Lord today," son Jase Robertson wrote. "He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!"  View this post on Instagram A post sh…
Husband Of Today Show Co-Host Dies Husband Of Today Show Co-Host Dies
Husband Of Today Show Co-Host Dies The husband of a popular co-host on the Today Show has died, according to NBC. Sheinelle Jones’ spouse of 17 years, Uche Ojeh, was 45. Ojeh had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, the network said in announcing the news. “There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children," Today co-host Savannah Guthrie said on Friday morning, May 23. "Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.” The two met at North…
'Free-Spirited, Loving Mother' ID'd As 25-Year-Old Killed In New Haven Wreck 'Free-Spirited, Loving Mother' ID'd As 25-Year-Old Killed In New Haven Wreck
'Free-Spirited, Loving Mother' ID'd As 25-Year-Old Killed In New Haven Wreck Authorities have identified the 25-year-old New Haven woman who was killed over the weekend when her car crashed into a tree. Now, the community is coming together to help care for her 5-year-old daughter. Shaquaza “May” Morris, of New Haven, died just before 2 a.m. Saturday, May 17, after she lost control of her vehicle going over a speed bump on Shelton Avenue, police said. Her car veered off the road and slammed into a tree. Paramedics rushed her to Yale New Haven Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. Morris’ mother shared a video of Shaquaza on Facebook, saying she was overcom…
'She Gained Her Wings': Community Rallies Around Mom Of 2 Killed In I-91 Crash 'She Gained Her Wings': Community Rallies Around Mom Of 2 Killed In I-91 Crash
'She Gained Her Wings': Community Rallies Around Mom Of 2 Killed In I-91 Crash A 33-year-old Connecticut mother of two who died in a rollover crash on I-91 is being remembered for her compassion, resilience, and unwavering strength. Now, the community is rallying around her grieving family. Andrea Baquero, of New Haven, was killed on Tuesday, May 12, after her SUV veered across multiple lanes of traffic in North Haven before leaving the roadway near Exit 10 North and striking a tree, according to Connecticut State Police. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. Baquero was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States in 1997. Acco…
Community Remembers Danbury High Grad Killed In CT Crash: 'She Lit Up The Room With Her Laugh' Community Remembers Danbury High Grad Killed In CT Crash: 'She Lit Up The Room With Her Laugh'
Community Remembers Danbury High Grad Killed In CT Crash: 'She Lit Up The Room With Her Laugh' A 45-year-old Connecticut woman who died after her car struck a utility pole earlier this month is being remembered for her sense of humor, compassion, and kindness to loved ones and strangers alike. Vanessa Pettengill, 45, of Norwich, was killed Tuesday, May 7, after her SUV went off the road on Fort Hill Road in Groton, between Depot Road and South Road, authorities said. Paramedics rushed her to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead, according to Groton police. The Danbury High School graduate leaves behind two children and a large extended family whom she cared…
CT Woman, 59, Dies After Weekend Crash That Sent Another To Hospital CT Woman, 59, Dies After Weekend Crash That Sent Another To Hospital
CT Woman, 59, Dies After Weekend Crash That Sent Another To Hospital A 59-year-old Connecticut woman who was injured in a crash over the weekend has died from her injuries, police said.  Frances Sullivan, 59, of Milford, was the passenger in a car that was involved in a crash around 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, on Boston Post Road in Milford, authorities said.  Both drivers were seriously injured in the crash, and firefighters had to cut two people out of one of the vehicles before paramedics could rush them to an area hospital. Sullivan died of her wounds on Sunday.  In the early hours on Mother’s Day May 11th my mother was tragically and…
Hardcore Wrestling Icon Sabu, ECW Star And WWE Alum, Dies Weeks After Final Match At 60 Hardcore Wrestling Icon Sabu, ECW Star And WWE Alum, Dies Weeks After Final Match At 60
Hardcore Wrestling Icon Sabu, ECW Star And WWE Alum, Dies Weeks After Final Match At 60 Hardcore wrestling legend Terry Brunk — more commonly known as Sabu — has died, according to reports. The Staten Island native, who made his name in ECW before being inducted into the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame, was 60.  No cause of death has been confirmed.  Sabu was among the most popular hardcore wrestlers in the business and had a brief run with WWE in the mid-2000s.  News of his death comes weeks after his victory over GCW star and former WWE wrestler Joey Janela on April 18. Sabu was trained by his uncle, "The Sheik" and was a mainstay in the business for decades, …
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, New England Native, Dies Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, New England Native, Dies
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, New England Native, Dies David Souter, a Republican-appointed Supreme Court justice who became known for siding with its liberal wing in nearly two decades as a justice, has died. He was age 85. The court announced he died "peacefully" on Thursday, May 8, at his home in Concord, New Hampshire. No cause of death was given. The Harvard University graduate and Melrose, Massachusetts native joined the high court in 1990 after being nominated by former President George H.W. Bush. Souter served on the Supreme Court until 2009, when he retired at age 69. He had served as New Hampshire's attorney general and was a …
Maryland Woman Dies Hero Saving Boy From Train Months After Losing Mom, Stepfather Maryland Woman Dies Hero Saving Boy From Train Months After Losing Mom, Stepfather
Maryland Woman Dies Hero Saving Boy From Train Months After Losing Mom, Stepfather Just months after losing her mother and step-father, a 20-year-old Maryland woman has died in what her family says what was an act of heroism. Summer Giffin, of Sandy Hook, was trying to save a boy from being hit by a train Tuesday night, May 6 but was hit herself, her family tells Daily Voice. The tragic accident, which left one other person dead, happened around 8:18 p.m., when emergency crews were called to the CSX rail bridge near the Maryland-West Virginia border, just outside Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, as previously reported by Daily Voice. As of press time, more th…
Beloved Coach, Mentor, Father Of George Mason Final Four Star Mourned: ‘A True Legend’ Beloved Coach, Mentor, Father Of George Mason Final Four Star Mourned: ‘A True Legend’
Beloved Coach, Mentor, Father Of George Mason Final Four Star Mourned: ‘A True Legend’ Coach Lamar Butler Sr. didn’t just build basketball players in the DMV — he built men. The DMV basketball world is mourning the loss of Coach Lamar Butler Sr., a beloved mentor, husband, grandfather, and father to George Mason Final Four standout Lamar Butler Jr., who passed away this week.  He was more than a coach — he was a pillar, his loved ones said. Butler shaped generations of young athletes, not only with his love for the game, but with values that extended far beyond the hardwood: discipline, integrity, teamwork, and self-belief.  His contagious smile and unwavering com…
Teen ID'd As Motorcyclist Killed In CT Crash, Police Searching For Witnesses Teen ID'd As Motorcyclist Killed In CT Crash, Police Searching For Witnesses
Teen ID'd As Motorcyclist Killed In CT Crash, Police Searching For Witnesses A 19-year-old man has been identified as the rider killed in a motorcycle crash in Bristol late last week, authorities announced. Kevin Cruz-Strain died shortly after midnight on Friday, May 2, police said. His last known address was in Bristol.  Cruz-Strain was riding eastbound when an SUV exited a McDonald’s parking lot on Farmington Avenue and collided with him, according to police. Emergency responders rendered aid at the scene and transported him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Bristol police said. An initial investigation determined that the SUV pulled …
Spirit Of Slain CT Boy Believed Beaten By Dad Will Live On Spirit Of Slain CT Boy Believed Beaten By Dad Will Live On
Spirit Of Slain CT Boy Believed Beaten By Dad Will Live On A GoFundMe has been launched to help lay 12-year-old Anthony P. Esposito to rest. The boy was tragically beaten to death with a baseball bat, allegedly by his own father, in Branford, CT, on Thursday, May 1, police said. Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr. Branford Police Department The fundraiser, created by Carolyn Bast, says: “It is with broken hearts that we share the sudden and tragic passing of my sweet and loving nephew, Anthony P Esposito, a bright and loving 12-year-old boy who touched the lives of everyone who knew him.” The boy’s father, Anthony Andrew Esposito Jr., 52, was …
Ruth Buzzi, Famed Comedic Actress Who Grew Up In CT, Dies After Long Illness Ruth Buzzi, Famed Comedic Actress Who Grew Up In CT, Dies After Long Illness
Ruth Buzzi, Famed Comedic Actress Who Grew Up In CT, Dies After Long Illness Ruth Buzzi, the life-long comedienne best known for her role on "Rowan & Martin Laugh-In," has died, her family announced on Facebook. She was 88.  Buzzi, born in Rhode Island but raised in Stonington, Connecticut, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2012 and suffered a stroke in 2022. She died peacefully in her sleep while in hospice care, her family wrote on Facebook.  July 24, 1936 – May 1, 2025 Ruth Buzzi died peacefully in her sleep at home in Texas. She was in hospice care for... Posted by Ruth Buzzi on Friday, May 2, 2025 Forbes wrote that Buzzi began h…
Army Vet Dies Saving Son, Niece From Drowning While On Vacation: 'He Was A Warrior' Army Vet Dies Saving Son, Niece From Drowning While On Vacation: 'He Was A Warrior'
Army Vet Dies Saving Son, Niece From Drowning While On Vacation: 'He Was A Warrior' A Massachusetts man who was honored as a hero on the battlefield proved his heroism once again, sacrificing his life to save his son and niece from drowning. Joshua Curtis, 38, of Halifax, was visiting family at Fernandina Beach, Florida — just north of Jacksonville — last week when a rip current dragged his 6-year-old son and niece deep into the ocean, according to reports. Curtis swam out and rescued them but drowned in the effort. Both children survived.  "He's a warrior, and he sacrificed his life for the children," his mother, Dawn Wall, told CBS News. This wasn’t the first time…
Community Rallies Around Families Of 3 CT Brothers, Friend Killed In Crash Community Rallies Around Families Of 3 CT Brothers, Friend Killed In Crash
Community Rallies Around Families Of 3 CT Brothers, Friend Killed In Crash Hundreds of people have rallied to support the Waterbury family of three brothers who were killed when the car they were in crashed into a corner store last week. Brothers Kayden Torres, 20; Nelson Torres, 25; and Noel Torres, 15, died alongside Johnaven Puszka, 20, after the BMW they were in slammed into Hernandez Market at 45 Cherry St. around 12:45 a.m. Thursday, April 24, Waterbury police said. Related: Click Here To Read Initial Report The tragic deaths shook the community. A GoFundMe campaign created for the Torres brothers' mother had raised more than $28,000 toward its $50,000 go…
Award-Winning Stunt Pilot Rob Holland Dies In Crash At Air Force Base Days Before Airshow Award-Winning Stunt Pilot Rob Holland Dies In Crash At Air Force Base Days Before Airshow
Award-Winning Stunt Pilot Rob Holland Dies In Crash At Air Force Base Days Before Airshow An award-winning stunt pilot died when his "experimental plane" crashed at a Virginia military base days before an upcoming airshow.  Rob Holland, 50, has been identified as the pilot killed at Langley Air Force Base when his plane went down in Hampton, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed. NTSB and Langley Air Force Base will hold a media briefing today at 3 p.m. on yesterday's crash of an experimental MX Aircraft MXS near Hampton, Virginia.Location: Riverview Events Center128 Benedict Avenue, Langley Air Force Base pic.twitter.com/RDVtfHRrqI — NTSB Newsro…
CT Family Killed In Crash Will Be Laid To Rest Together CT Family Killed In Crash Will Be Laid To Rest Together
CT Family Killed In Crash Will Be Laid To Rest Together A mother, her teenage daughter, and her sister who were killed in a crash on Saturday, April 19 in Connecticut will be laid to rest together this weekend. Services for Florinda Antonia Tineo, 50, her daughter Gabriela Johailiz Difo, 17, and her sister Jeannette Tineo, 48, will be held Friday, April 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 626 Willard Ave., with burial at West Meadow Cemetery. Maritza Smith, 56, of New Britain also died in the cra…
Army Vet, Family Man Killed By Falling Tree In CT: 'We Lost An Amazing Person' Army Vet, Family Man Killed By Falling Tree In CT: 'We Lost An Amazing Person'
Army Vet, Family Man Killed By Falling Tree In CT: 'We Lost An Amazing Person' Police have identified the 69-year-old Army veteran and retired aircraft carpenter who was killed in a tragic accident when a tree he was cutting fell on him.  Frank Gallipoli Jr., of Orange, was fatally wounded on Friday, April 18, around 4:40 p.m. while cutting down the large tree in his yard, police said.  Firefighters had to use specialized airbags to lift the tree enough to pull Gallipoli from beneath it.  Beth DeBondt wrote that Gallipoli was a giving person who cared deeply for his family: "We lost an amazing person." We lost an amazing person Frank Gallipol…
Police ID Father, Husband Stabbed To Death Inside Danbury Home Police ID Father, Husband Stabbed To Death Inside Danbury Home
Yorge Michael Andrade-Vera Killed In Danbury Home Stabbing Authorities have identified a 22-year-old man fatally stabbed over the weekend at a Connecticut home, an attack that led to another man’s arrest and a bond set at $1 million. Yorge Michael Andrade-Vera was stabbed around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at a home on Granville Avenue in Danbury, police said. He was taken by paramedics to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to a Facebook memorial post, Andrade-Vera is survived by his wife, young daughter, and several immediate family members. Bryan Eduardo Caceres-Pinguil, 21, of Danbury, was arrested and charged with mu…
4 Dead In Crash: CT Teen, Family Members of Dominican Senator Among Victims 4 Dead In Crash: CT Teen, Family Members of Dominican Senator Among Victims
4 Dead In Crash: CT Teen, Family Members of Dominican Senator Among Victims A 17-year-old senior at Newington High School was among four people killed in a two-car crash over the weekend in Connecticut, authorities said. The collision occurred at the intersection of Willard Avenue and Greenlawn Avenue in Newington around 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, according to police. The victims were identified as Gabriela Difo, 17; Florinda Tineo, 50; Jeannette Tineo, 48, all of Newington; and Maritza Smith, 56, of New Britain, Newington police said. Newington Public Schools confirmed that Difo was a senior at Newington High School. Tineo was her mother, and Jeannette Tineo was …
Community Mourns Man Killed By Bridgeport Police; Lawsuit, Fundraiser Aim To Support Family Community Mourns Man Killed By Bridgeport Police; Lawsuit, Fundraiser Aim To Support Family
Community Mourns Man Killed By Bridgeport Police; Lawsuit, Fundraiser Aim To Support Family Friends and loved ones of Dyshan Best say he was a kind man who was actively involved in his community through several programs. The 39-year-old, who was shot and killed by Bridgeport police late last month, was buried Monday, April 14, according to a fundraiser created in his memory. While Best’s character has been scrutinized in the press since his death on March 31, friends say he was a caring man who wanted to make a positive impact. They launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs. “He cared about local kids, ran Trunk-or-Treat events on Halloween for them, and had plans …
'Radiant Light’: 20-Year-Old Dancer, Sacred Heart University Student Remembered After Death 'Radiant Light’: 20-Year-Old Dancer, Sacred Heart University Student Remembered After Death
'Radiant Light’: 20-Year-Old Dancer, Sacred Heart University Student Remembered After Death The Westchester community is mourning the tragic loss of Julianna “JJ” Sannino, a talented 20-year-old dancer, student, and aspiring teacher whose vibrant spirit touched all who knew her.  Sannino died on Thursday, April 3, in Fairfield, Connecticut, at the age of 20, according to her obituary. Her cause of death was not made public.  In the weeks since her death, her family, friends, and countless others whose lives she impacted are remembering her as creative, compassionate, and full of enthusiasm. Known as “JJ,” Sannino was born in Manhattan on August 12, 2004, and raised…
CT Officer Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle: 'He Never Stopped Putting Others First' CT Officer Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle: 'He Never Stopped Putting Others First'
CT Officer Dies After Yearlong Cancer Battle: 'He Never Stopped Putting Others First' Loved ones say Nicholas Lettieri gave everything he had to his role as a Torrington police sergeant — even while battling pancreatic cancer. Now, the community is coming together to repay that debt to his family after his death last week.  Lettieri, 34, of Southington, died Saturday, April 5, at Hartford Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Meghan, and their 2-year-old son, Finn. Both were at his bedside — along with members of his Torrington police family — when he passed. In a traditional show of mourning and respect, the Torrington Police Department has draped black and purple bunt…
CT Bicyclist Killed In Hit-Run Crash ID’d As 42-Year-Old Local Man CT Bicyclist Killed In Hit-Run Crash ID’d As 42-Year-Old Local Man
CT Bicyclist Killed In Hit-Run Crash ID’d As 42-Year-Old Local Man Authorities have identified the 42-year-old cyclist who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash earlier this week. Nick Thompson was riding his bicycle along Main Street near the intersection with Capen Street in Hartford on Monday, April 7, when a vehicle rear-ended him and then crashed into a parked car, police said. The people inside ran away before officers arrived around 7:30 p.m. Paramedics rushed Thompson to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. Tributes poured in on social media, where friends and community members shared memories they had with Thompson. Many descr…
Funeral Set For Hero 'Cat Man,' Volunteer Police, Fireman Killed In Sanctuary Blaze Funeral Set For Hero 'Cat Man,' Volunteer Police, Fireman Killed In Sanctuary Blaze
Funeral Set For Hero 'Cat Man,' Volunteer Police, Fireman Killed In Sanctuary Blaze Funeral services are set for Christopher Arsenault, whose devotion to his feline friends right up until the very end has earned him admiration around the world. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Manhasset, according to his obituary. The service will be open to close friends and family only, but plans are underway for a larger public memorial in the near future. Lovingly known as "The Cat Man," Arsenault, 65, was killed early Monday, March 31, when a fire tore through his Medford home, which also served as the longtime headqu…