Sister Left Alone After DOJ Lawyer’s Sudden Death At 29 In Australia: ‘Facing The Unimaginable’ Sister Left Alone After DOJ Lawyer’s Sudden Death At 29 In Australia: ‘Facing The Unimaginable’
Sister Left Alone After DOJ Lawyer’s Sudden Death At 29 In Australia: ‘Facing The Unimaginable’ Andrew Ascencio was between chapters — a sharp legal mind, a relentless traveler, and a loyal friend — when a tragedy abroad stunned friends and loved ones. Ascencio, 29, lost his life in an accident early in the morning of Friday, June 27 while vacationing in Australia, after leaving his job as a DOJ lawyer, loved ones said. "He had recently left the DOJ and was enjoying travel until starting his next chapter before tragically passing away," friend and former colleague Nicole Paladino wrote in a touching tribute. "Andrew was in our (two-)week NAC class and became an incredible friend to a…
Police ID Cheshire Motorcyclist Killed In July 4th Prospect Crash: 'We Lost A Good Man' Police ID Cheshire Motorcyclist Killed In July 4th Prospect Crash: 'We Lost A Good Man'
Police ID Cheshire Motorcyclist Killed In July 4th Prospect Crash: 'We Lost A Good Man' Friends remember the 61-year-old Connecticut man who died in a motorcycle crash as a caring soul with an unforgettable sense of humor. Timothy Pazar, 61, of Cheshire, was identified as the man who died while riding a Honda CB750C eastbound on Route 68 in Prospect around 3:15 p.m. Friday, July 4, Connecticut State Police said. The bike crashed with a Ford Fusion at the intersection of Cheshire Road and Matthew Street, throwing Pazar into a metal guardrail, troopers said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Memorials for Pazar poured into social media. "The world is a little less bright t…
'Young Man Full Of Promise': Paterson Teen Killed In Newark Shooting Mourned 'Young Man Full Of Promise': Paterson Teen Killed In Newark Shooting Mourned
'Young Man Full Of Promise': Paterson Teen Killed In Newark Shooting Mourned Brandyn "Stunna" Waters had his whole life ahead of him. But the 18-year-old Paterson resident's life was cut short when he was fatally shot in Newark on Monday, June 23.  At 11:40 p.m., Newark police responded to 367 6th Ave. and found five individuals struck by gunfire, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. Waters sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Four men, 26, 24, and two 19-year-olds were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, authorities said. "Brandyn was s…
CT Woman Killed After Car Crashes Into Litchfield Utility Pole, Sparking Electrical Fire CT Woman Killed After Car Crashes Into Litchfield Utility Pole, Sparking Electrical Fire
CT Woman Killed After Car Crashes Into Litchfield Utility Pole, Sparking Electrical Fire A 53-year-old Connecticut woman was killed Wednesday evening, June 25, in a fatal Route 254 wreck.  Terri Mae Cullen, of Waterbury, was driving north on the highway in Litchfield at Windsong Drive just after 4 p.m. when the Dodge Dart she was driving veered off the road and struck a utility pole, Connecticut State Police said.  The crash tore down power lines and sparked a fire, Northfield firefighters said. Eversource had to turn off the electricity before crews could reach her.  Firefighters had to cut Cullen from the vehicle. She died later of her injuries, State Police said.  Memorial…
Ridgewood Dads Unite After Sudden Loss Of One Of Their Own Ridgewood Dads Unite After Sudden Loss Of One Of Their Own
Ridgewood Dads Unite After Sudden Loss Of One Of Their Own The night before he died, Octavio Gonzalez was more full of life than ever. He spent the evening laughing with one of his closest friends, Ahmad Oloumi, who said nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “He was no different,” Oloumi said. “His typical jovial self.” Which is why the news of Gonzalez’s sudden passing the next day, Sunday, June 22, came as such a shock. Now, in the wake of his death, Oloumi and Ridgewood’s Dads’ Night, a nonprofit made up of fathers from two of the village’s elementary schools, have launched a GoFundMe to support Gonzalez’s wife, April, and their children, M…
DC Mother Killed In Maryland ATV Crash Remembered As Being 'Full Of Life' DC Mother Killed In Maryland ATV Crash Remembered As Being 'Full Of Life'
DC Mother Killed In Maryland ATV Crash Remembered As Being 'Full Of Life' She loved to travel, smile, and turn every new day into an adventure — and now a Maryland family is mourning the vibrant woman they lost too soon. District resident Trinh Viet Tran, 31, was killed in an ATV crash late Friday night, June 6, in Oxon Hill, according to Prince George’s County Police.  Police say the collision happened around 10:20 p.m. at the intersection of Livingston Road and Crisfield Drive. Tran was found critically injured at the scene and rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead at 11:22 p.m., her family confirmed in a newly launched GoFundMe…
$19K Raised After Brick Township Dad's Sudden Death $19K Raised After Brick Township Dad's Sudden Death
$19K Raised After Brick Township Dad's Sudden Death More than $19,000 has been raised for the family of an Ocean County resident who leaves behind young sons and a host of loved ones. Shawn Kaplan, of Brick, died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 29, according to his obituary on the Colonial Funeral Home website. He was 40 years old. A lifelong NY Jets and Mets fan and aficionado, Shawn was a dedicated employee at Earle Construction "where he not only contributed his hard work and skill but also built strong, lasting friendships that meant the world to him," his obituary reads. His sons Jameson and Rocco were the "light of his life." He is also…
Police ID Chicopee Man, 27, As Victim In Fatal Springfield Shooting: 'I'll Always Miss You' Police ID Chicopee Man, 27, As Victim In Fatal Springfield Shooting: 'I'll Always Miss You'
Police ID Chicopee Man, 27, As Victim In Fatal Springfield Shooting: 'I'll Always Miss You' Authorities have identified the 27-year-old man who was gunned down in Springfield over the weekend as investigators work to piece together what happened.  Trey Palmer, of Chicopee, was shot on Saturday, May 31, around 9:20 p.m. in the 400 block of Bridge Street, the Hampden District Attorney said. He died at Baystate Medical Center soon after.  Multiple people posted memorials to Palmer, with many pointing out his compassion and sense of humor. "This one truly broke my heart," Brandon Foley said in a Facebook post. "We've been brothers for the last 8 years. Too many me…
Caregiver Killed In I-81 Virginia Crash Just Days Before Birthday Remembered As ‘Loving Soul’ Caregiver Killed In I-81 Virginia Crash Just Days Before Birthday Remembered As ‘Loving Soul’
Caregiver Killed In I-81 Virginia Crash Just Days Before Birthday Remembered As ‘Loving Soul’ She was three days from celebrating her birthday. Instead, her family is planning her funeral. Marsha Constantine died in a devastating crash on I-81 in Virginia on Monday, May 19 — just days before what would have been her 29th birthday.  She was a beloved caregiver to the elderly, a devoted wife, and a woman who gave everything to those in need, her family says. Virginia State Police said Constantine was driving a Toyota Camry northbound around 1:30 p.m. near mile marker 280 when the car veered off the road, crossed the median, and slammed into an oncoming pickup truck just south of…
Vet, Former Police Officer Killed In Fiery I-70 Frederick Crash Was ‘A Light To Everybody’ Vet, Former Police Officer Killed In Fiery I-70 Frederick Crash Was ‘A Light To Everybody’
Vet, Former Police Officer Killed In Fiery I-70 Frederick Crash Was ‘A Light To Everybody’ Rony Cabrera survived the Army and a stint in law enforcement — but lost his life on a Maryland highway behind the wheel of a box truck. Cabrera, 22, a decorated veteran and former police officer in Maryland, was one of two killed in a violent three-vehicle crash that shut down I-70 in Frederick County over the weekend. According to his family, Cabrera was behind the wheel of a box truck when a BMW SUV slammed into the back of it near Exit 62 in New Market around 4:10 p.m. on Sunday.  Maryland State Police said the impact forced Cabrera’s truck across the grassy median and into the pa…
'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…
Community Remembers CT Mom Killed In Groton Crash: 'She Lit Up The Room With Her Laugh' Community Remembers CT Mom Killed In Groton Crash: 'She Lit Up The Room With Her Laugh'
Community Remembers CT Mom Killed In Groton 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…