Routine Tonsillectomy Turns Deadly For Virginia Boy: 'Heart Full Of Love' Routine Tonsillectomy Turns Deadly For Virginia Boy: 'Heart Full Of Love'
Routine Tonsillectomy Turns Deadly For Virginia Boy: 'Heart Full Of Love' A Fredericksburg boy died weeks before his 9th birthday due to complications of a tonsillectomy, his family said on social media. The boy's dad, Rich Shircliff, on Facebook, said that he had a tonsillectomy on Monday, Jan. 13, "and while everything initially seemed fine, he began experiencing complications on Wednesday morning." Joe Shircliff GoFundMe Joe was rushed to the hospital but returned home that night. The family thought the worst was over, however, then Joe suffered yet another hemorrhage, and this time, he went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance, his father said. …
Herndon Native Jason Hetterly Dies, 41 Herndon Native Jason Hetterly Dies, 41
Herndon Native Jason Hetterly Dies, 41 It'll be the little things that friends and family miss following the unexpected passing of Jason Hetterly on Christmas Day in Virginia. Hetterly, 41, enjoyed Christmas Eve surrounded by family and friends, but was gone the following morning leaving a hole behind his family is still trying to fill. "Jason accepted and understood my idiosyncrasies in a way others didn’t," his mother said. "Living nearby, I got to spend time with him doing mundane things like trips to the grocery store or playing a game of Skip-Bo at Panera.  "I loved talking with him about issues and stories in the…
Virginia Dad Dies During First NFL Game In Dallas Virginia Dad Dies During First NFL Game In Dallas
Virginia Dad Dies During First NFL Game In Dallas What was supposed to be a joyful family outing turned into heartbreak when a beloved father of four, Marwan Al-Jamal, passed away during his first-ever NFL game at "Jerry's World" in Dallas. The devoted Washington Commanders fan from Fredericksburg was described by family as being a cherished husband, father, and friend known for his kindness and compassion before his unexpected passing.  Al-Jamal had traveled with his six brothers-in-law to watch the Commanders take on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, though he wouldn't make it through the third quarter, suffering a …
Father Of Three, Student Chasing American Dream Mourned Following Fatal Chantilly Pond Crash Father Of Three, Student Chasing American Dream Mourned Following Fatal Chantilly Pond Crash
Father Of Three, Student Chasing American Dream Mourned Following Fatal Chantilly Pond Crash A devoted father and a young man pursuing the American Dream are being mourned after their lives were tragically cut short in a Fairfax County pond crash. Karna Khadka, 55, and 20-year-old Nishchal Bhatta lost their lives last week when their car plunged into a frigid Chantilly pond, likely due to icy road conditions. Officers were called to the 3900 block of Centerview Drive at 7:25 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, for reports of a submerged vehicle, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Responding officers found the car fully underwater. Emergency crews from the Fairfax County…
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires 32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires A former child star and motivational speaker is among the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, his family has confirmed. Click here for a new, updated story - Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed Rory Sykes, 32, an Australian who gained media attention as a boy for sharing his experiences living with disabilities, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at his family’s estate in Malibu, his mother, Shelley Sykes, announced in a post on X. “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yeste…
Construction Worker Killed In Building Collapse Dreamed Of Returning With Family To Guatemala Construction Worker Killed In Building Collapse Dreamed Of Returning With Family To Guatemala
Construction Worker Killed In Building Collapse Dreamed Of Returning With Family To Guatemala The family of a construction worker killed in a tragic building collapse in Washington, DC, last week, is working tirelessly to fulfill his final wish: returning his body to his native Guatemala for burial. Edgar Cifuentes was crushed under a two-story row house that collapsed early on Monday, Dec. 23 while working on a project in the 1100 block of V Street NW when the building came down. Cifuentes was stuck in a perilous position, and despite firefighters' best efforts, he was pronounced dead that afternoon after being rescued from the rubble. Following his death, Cifuentes was remem…
Journalist Richard Cohen, Husband To Meredith Vieira, Dies After Half-Century MS Battle Journalist Richard Cohen, Husband To Meredith Vieira, Dies After Half-Century MS Battle
Journalist Richard Cohen, Husband To Meredith Vieira, Dies After Half-Century MS Battle Journalist and author Richard Cohen has died after inspiring countless people through his decades-long battle with MS and cancer. Cohen, the husband of former TODAY anchor Meredith Vieira, died on Tuesday, Dec. 24, TODAY reported. The Plainview, New York, native was 76 years old. A veteran reporter, Cohen lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years and overcame two cancer diagnoses during his life. He was also legally blind. Cohen, who worked for CBS News, was given his MS diagnosis in 1973.  "I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old and essentially told there is no…
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 The world lost an extraordinary spirit on Friday, Dec. 27, with the passing of Maggie Kudirka, lovingly known as the "Bald Ballerina. "Maggie, 33, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Kudirka (@baldballerina) The Joffrey Ballet School, where Maggie trained, mourned her loss, calling her a “beautiful warrior.” “Maggie’s passion and grace will forever inspire us,” they wrote, reflecting on her profound impact on the dance and c…
College Of William & Mary Grad Linda Lavin, 'Alice' Star Dies, 87 College Of William & Mary Grad Linda Lavin, 'Alice' Star Dies, 87
College Of William & Mary Grad Linda Lavin, 'Alice' Star Dies, 87 Linda Lavin, the two-time Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominated actress whose career spanned six decades on stage and screen, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 87, according to The New York Times. Born in Portland, Maine, Lavin studied acting at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she was deeply involved in the theater program. Her career took off with her iconic role as Alice Hyatt on the hit TV series "Alice," which earned her two Golden Globes and cemented her as a household name. A force on Broadway, Lavin captivated audiences with performances in multiple …
Jimmy Carter, Longest Living American President, Dies At Age 100 Jimmy Carter, Longest Living American President, Dies At Age 100
Jimmy Carter, Longest Living American President, Dies At Age 100 The longest living president in US history, Jimmy Carter, has died at the age of 100. The death of the 39th chief executive was announced by the Carter Center. He died Sunday afternoon, Dec. 29 at his residence in his lifelong hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he was born in October 1924. James Earl Carter Jr., was the first ex-president to reach the age of 100. Carter, then the Democratic governor of Georgia who had worked as a peanut farmer, defeated Gerald Ford in the 1976 race, the first presidential election after Richard Nixon's resignation in August 1974 following the Watergate af…
Charles Dolan, Cable TV Pioneer Who Founded HBO, Dies Charles Dolan, Cable TV Pioneer Who Founded HBO, Dies
Charles Dolan, Cable TV Pioneer Who Founded HBO, Dies Charles Francis Dolan, a pioneer in the cable television industry and founder of HBO and Cablevision, died at 98. Dolan died Thursday, Dec. 28, of natural causes. Born Oct. 16, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, Dolan began his career producing and distributing sports and industrial films. In the early 1960s, he founded Sterling Manhattan Cable, the first company to wire buildings for cable access in New York City. This led to exclusive deals with teams like the New York Knicks and Rangers. In 1972, he launched HBO, the first premium cable channel, changing television by offering uncut movies and …
MLB Stolen Base, Runs Scored King Rickey Henderson Dies At 65 MLB Stolen Base, Runs Scored King Rickey Henderson Dies At 65
MLB Stolen Base, Runs Scored King Rickey Henderson Dies At 65 Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball’s career steals and runs scored leader, widely considered to be one of the greatest leadoff hitters in baseball history, has died at age 65.  Henderson, who would have turned 66 on Christmas Day, died while hospitalized with pneumonia, according to multiple reports. Persuaded by his mother to pursue baseball over football, Henderson began a 25-year career that saw him redefine speed and swagger in the sport. Henderson debuted with the Oakland A’s in 1979, quickly capturing fans' hearts with his record-breaking stolen bases, powerful leadoff…
Family Calls For Community To 'Storm Heaven With Prayers' Following Double Fatal Virginia Crash Family Calls For Community To 'Storm Heaven With Prayers' Following Double Fatal Virginia Crash
Family Calls For Community To 'Storm Heaven With Prayers' Following Double Fatal Virginia Crash Friends and well-wishers are coming together to support the family of a father of three who was killed in a double fatal Virginia crash over the weekend. Herndon native Shawn "Blazay" Ballard, 35, was driving early on Sunday, Nov. 10 with 48-year-old Nicole Hamm in the area of North Shore Drive and Charter Oak Court in Reston when their 2016 Ford Explorer veered off the roadway and struck the tree, according to police. Both were rushed to an area hospital, where they later died from their injuries, leaving loved ones reeling. Following the fatal crash, support has been swelling for Ba…
Father Who Died Suddenly In Virginia Mourned By Loved Ones Father Who Died Suddenly In Virginia Mourned By Loved Ones
Father Who Died Suddenly In Virginia Mourned By Loved Ones Adrian Aurel Utupan is being remembered by his loved ones as beloved church-going man who brought "love, laughter, and kindness" before his unexpected death in Virginia.  The 64-year-old was killed after reportedly suffering a medical emergency and crashing into a tree near a busy Prince William County intersection, police said last week. Investigators said that early on Thursday, Oct. 24, Utupan was driving in the area of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road, when he lost control of his Chevrolet Blazer in the southbound lanes of the parkway, crossed over the grassy median…
'Heaven Gained Another Angel:' Community Rallying To Send Award-Winning VA Crossing Guard Home 'Heaven Gained Another Angel:' Community Rallying To Send Award-Winning VA Crossing Guard Home
'Heaven Gained Another Angel:' Community Rallying To Send Award-Winning VA Crossing Guard Home A beloved member of the Alexandria Police Department who has been a fixture in the community for decades is being remembered for his work and commitment to children following his death, now they are hoping to send his body home to Trinidad. School Crossing Guard Richard Thomas leaves behind a lasting legacy following his passing after years of directing traffic and bonding with students and families during an award-winning career in Virginia. The state's "Most Outstanding Crossing Guard" in 2023 "knew how to keep everyone in the world around him safe," organizers of a GoFundMe campaign wrot…
Maryland Toddler Killed In DC Had 'Short, Meaningful Life," Family Says Maryland Toddler Killed In DC Had 'Short, Meaningful Life," Family Says
Maryland Toddler Killed In DC Had 'Short, Meaningful Life," Family Says A devastated family in Maryland is reeling and seeking answers after a beloved toddler was killed in DC. Late on Saturday, 1-year-old Upper Marlboro native Journee Moore was the subject of an emergency call in Northwest DC after going into cardiac arrest. According to police, officers were called at around 10:50 p.m. on Sept. 28 to a home in the 3700 block of Connecticut Avenue NW, where they found the 1-year-old suffering from critical injuries. Moore was rushed to the Children's National Hospital by DC Fire and EMS personnel, where the child would later be pronounced dead from blunt forc…
Former HS Football Star Killed In Virginia Motorcycle Crash Was Expectant Father Former HS Football Star Killed In Virginia Motorcycle Crash Was Expectant Father
Former HS Football Star Killed In Virginia Motorcycle Crash Was Expectant Father A former star athlete in Virginia who spent his life supporting his beloved hometown in Spotsylvania is being remembered as "a beloved son, brother, and friend whose vibrant spirit touched everyone he met."  James Trevor Reid, a man who put family over everything else, died on Saturday, Sept. 14, and now the community is rallying around him, his girlfriend, and the unborn child he never had the opportunity to meet. Reid, who was a popular player on the Spotsylvania Knights before assuming some coaching duties at his alma mater, died while riding his motorcycle and striking a truck driven by…
Services Set For Virginia High School Student Christian Brixius, 14 Services Set For Virginia High School Student Christian Brixius, 14
Services Set For Virginia High School Student Christian Brixius, 14 A Virginia community is rallying around the family of a beloved teen whose death "left a deep void in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him."  More than $50,000 has been raised by friends and loved ones following the death of Bristow native Christian Brixius, who is scheduled to be buried this week following his unexpected passing in Prince William County. Brixius, who attended Patriot High School," was described by his family as "a bright and kind-hearted teen who tragically passed away."  "As Christian’s family navigates through this incredibly difficult time, they are a…
Mom Loses 2nd Son To Gun Violence Following Alexandria Murder, She Says Mom Loses 2nd Son To Gun Violence Following Alexandria Murder, She Says
Mom Loses 2nd Son To Gun Violence Following Alexandria Murder, She Says A family no stranger to grief is facing the loss of another loved one who was the victim of gun violence in Alexandria. Kwakia Frazier, 25, has been identified by the Alexandria Police Department as the man who was killed in a triple shooting that left a 46-year-old man and teenager suffering from minor injuries. The shooting was reported at around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 in the 1300 block of Wythe Street. Frazier was pronounced dead by first responders, the second man was hospitalized in stable condition, and the teen was treated for a graze wound. No information about a possible …
Reward Offered For Tips Leading To Arrest Of Shooter Wanted For Double Fatal Fairfax Shooting Reward Offered For Tips Leading To Arrest Of Shooter Wanted For Double Fatal Fairfax Shooting
Reward Offered For Tips Leading To Arrest Of Shooter Wanted For Double Fatal Fairfax Shooting A massive reward is being offered as friends and family continue searching for the person responsible for killing a pair of 22 year olds in Loudoun County over the summer. This week, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office announced a $25,000 for tips and information that leads to the aprehension of whomever is responsible for the deaths of Mijal Conejero-Romera and Diego Alexander Woollett in late August.  Shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, deputies from the sheriff's office were called to the 21000 block of Ridgetop Circle in the area of Huntington Square, wher…
Community Rallying To Send Body Of 'Wonderful Person' Killed In VA Hit-Run Back To El Salvador Community Rallying To Send Body Of 'Wonderful Person' Killed In VA Hit-Run Back To El Salvador
Community Rallying To Send Body Of 'Wonderful Person' Killed In VA Hit-Run Back To El Salvador Before a hit-and-run driver in Fairfax County killed him, Julio Pasassi was a pillar of his adopted community who was known as a "true friend and leader," according to his family. Now that same community is rallying around his family as they hope to send his body back to his native El Salvador to be buried along with other loved ones. "Julio was struck by a hit-and-run driver as (he) walked to his car during his morning commute," Stephanie Trimmer, who organized a fundraiser for the Pasassi family, said.  "This devastating loss has affected all of us, and our thoughts are with Julio’s…
Truth Tillman, Rigger In DMV For Decades, Remembered As 'Bright Light Extinguished Too Soon' Truth Tillman, Rigger In DMV For Decades, Remembered As 'Bright Light Extinguished Too Soon'
Truth Tillman, Rigger In DMV For Decades, Remembered As 'Bright Light Extinguished Too Soon' A man who had his fingerprint on the pulse of the DMV is being remembered as "a bright light extinguished too soon following his unexpected death. Truth Tillman, 38, a beloved family member and friend to countless people throughout the region, was killed on Saturday, Sept. 7 in a reported crash on I-295. The Severn resident was described as "a rigger in the DMV since he was 17 years old" by a loved one, as his family looks to start filling the hole his unexpected passing left in their hearts. "(He) was a husband, father, uncle, brother, and friend to anyone who had the pleasure of spe…
Virginia Mother Killed In Motorcycle Crash Was Days From Getting Married, Starting New Job Virginia Mother Killed In Motorcycle Crash Was Days From Getting Married, Starting New Job
Virginia Mother Killed In Motorcycle Crash Was Days From Getting Married, Starting New Job Melanie Ruby Morales was "a light to everyone she met," before she lost her life in a Prince William County motorcycle crash, just as her life was coming together. Morales, 23, a mother of two, died last week after she was riding her motorcycle and struck a Mack truck after losing control, leaving friends and family reeling. "Melanie had a strong future ahead of her, standing tough through all of the hardships life threw her way," Jared Morales said. "Not for herself, but for the family she had created."  The Woodbridge resident leaves behind a husband she was planning to get married …
'Loving, Caring, Compassionate,' Woman, 22, Killed With BF In Virginia Remembered By Loved Ones 'Loving, Caring, Compassionate,' Woman, 22, Killed With BF In Virginia Remembered By Loved Ones
'Loving, Caring, Compassionate,' Woman, 22, Killed With BF In Virginia Remembered By Loved Ones A family is "struggling to make sense of something that is senseless" after a 22-year-old woman and her boyfriend were shot and killed in Loudoun County. Mijal Conejero-Romera and Diego Alexander Woollett, both 22, were identified by investigators as the two who were found shot in Sterling and later died at an area hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Mijal Conejero-Romera GoFundMe A friend of the family who had known Conejero-Romera since she was 8 years old described her as "such a sweet girl, (who was) always smiling. "We don't know how we're going to go on," she continued.…
Sudden Death Of Popular VA Diner Owner 'Diesel' Sends Shockwaves Through Community Sudden Death Of Popular VA Diner Owner 'Diesel' Sends Shockwaves Through Community
Sudden Death Of Popular VA Diner Owner 'Diesel' Sends Shockwaves Through Community The death of a 27-year-old man is spreading sadness through a northern Virginia community. Abed-Alruhman Sam Warden, a Sterling native, died on Wednesday, Aug. 7, his family said in a statement put out to the community in a Facebook group. Warden, affectionately known as "Diesel," was the owner of Piccadilly Grill in Winchester, which has since been closed.  "The cause of his untimely demise remains uncertain, leaving our family in profound grief," the statement says. Warden lost his father three years ago and was being remembered as an "extraordinary young man, renowned for his exce…
Father Killed By Carjacker In Virginia Was 'Great Champion With Helpful Heart,' Wife Says Father Killed By Carjacker In Virginia Was 'Great Champion With Helpful Heart,' Wife Says
Father Killed By Carjacker In Virginia Was 'Great Champion With Helpful Heart,' Wife Says The man killed by a carjacker in Virginia is being remembered by friends and family as a doting father with a big heart he was willing to share with his loved ones. Last month, José Luis Vázquez, 37, had his gold Lexus SUV stolen from him in a Prince William County apartment complex, and while trying to stave off his assailant, was thrown from the vehicle, which then ran him over. He died at an area hospital, leaving his family - including a 2-year-old daughter - with an absence in their hearts.  "My husband was a happy person, a human being with a big heart, who was contagious w…
Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking
Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking A beloved Maryland grandmother of eight and mother to four children who spent part of her life dedicating herself to healthcare services in Virginia left a family reeling after she was killed in a carjacking. Silver Spring resident Melody Waldecker, 54, was involved in a fatal carjacking this week in Sterling by Jose Aguilar-Martinez where she was killed by her own vehicle, police say. Now, friends and well-wishers in the community are coming together in support of her family, which is stunned days after she was identified as the victim by police. "Losing a mother (or) grand…
Reston Woman, 26, Killed By Car On Leesburg Pike Was 'Hard Worker With Great Dreams' Reston Woman, 26, Killed By Car On Leesburg Pike Was 'Hard Worker With Great Dreams'
Reston Woman, 26, Killed By Car On Leesburg Pike Was 'Hard Worker With Great Dreams' Support is on the rise for the family of a 26-year-old Reston woman struck and killed by a vehicle on Leesburg Pike earlier this month. Giomarie Davila-Ocasio walked into the westbound lanes of the roadway when she was struck by a 2016 Ford Explorer around 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 20 in Great Falls, Fairfax County police said. The driver of the vehicle initially left the scene but returned shortly after and Davila-Ocasio was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash for Davila-Ocasio, and alcohol does not appear to be a factor for the d…
Community Rallying To Send Body Back To El Salvador After Fatal Maryland Crash Community Rallying To Send Body Back To El Salvador After Fatal Maryland Crash
Community Rallying To Send Body Back To El Salvador After Fatal Maryland Crash Dina Rosibel Salgado Sorto had her dreams shattered after the mother of a 3-year-old daughter was killed in a Loudoun County crash, her family says. Early in the afternoon on Thursday, July 18, deputies from the sheriff's office were called to the intersection of Waxpool Road and Red Rum Drive in Ashburn to investigate a crash involving a sedan and SUV that left one dead. On Friday, Salgado Sorto, 24, was identified as the person killed in the crash, leaving friends and family with more questions than answers as the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate. "Unfortunately, …
Fredericksburg Marine, Army Vet Kenny Carr Jr. Dies, 38 Fredericksburg Marine, Army Vet Kenny Carr Jr. Dies, 38
Fredericksburg Marine, Army Vet Kenny Carr Jr. Dies, 38 Shock and sadness spread following the June 30, 2024 death of Kenneth "Kenny" Carr Jr., of Fredericksburg. He was 38 years old. According to his obituary on the Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service website, Carr served in the Marine Corps for 8.5 years and then in the Army, having earned multiple awards and working as a martial arts instructor within the Marines. A father of two, Carr volunteered as a basketball coach in the area, at the military youth center and at the YMCA, his obituary continues.  Tributes on social media suggest Carr's death was unexpected. I never thought I wou…
Support Surges For Widow, Son Of Stafford Worker, 22, Killed In Crash Support Surges For Widow, Son Of Stafford Worker, 22, Killed In Crash
Support Surges For Widow, Son Of Stafford Worker, 22, Killed In Crash One thing is clear: Logan Duff loved his family above all else before his death in Virginia. A community is rallying support for the family of a hard-working 22-year-old man in Virginia who was killed in a crash last month, leaving a void in the hearts of his family and friends. In mid-June, first responders in Caroline County were called to a stretch of the Fredericksburg Turnpike, when Duff reportedly lost control of a pick-up truck and ran off the road after overcorrecting, striking several trees. Duff left behind a loving family, including wife Madison Duff and a child, LJ, sending "sh…