Gone Too Soon

Doug Kiker (2025), American Idol contestant

Doug Kiker was a contestant on season 18 of “American Idol,” remembered for performing with Rascal Flatts in the season finale.

Anne Marie Hochhalter (2025), Columbine survivor

Anne Marie Hochhalter was a survivor of the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, who later spoke out about the impact of gun violence.

Ken Flores (1996–2025), stand-up comedian

Ken Flores was a stand-up comedian and the creator of the Chicago comedy showcase LatinXL.

Calvin Jones (1970–2025), star Cornhuskers running back

Calvin Jones was a star running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who later won a Super Bowl ring playing with the Green Bay Packers.

DJ Unk (1982–2025), Walk It Out, 2 Step rapper

Anthony Platt , known by the stage name DJ Unk, was an Atlanta-based rap artist who had snap hits with “Walk It Out” and “2 Step” in 2006.

Francisco San Martin (1985–2025), Days of Our Lives actor

Francisco San Martin was an actor known for roles in such TV shows as “Days of Our Lives” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Jack Hoffman (2005–2025), beloved young Nebraska football fan 

Jack Hoffman was a young cancer patient and lifelong Nebraska Cornhuskers fan who captured hearts when, at 7, he ran for a touchdown at a Huskers spring game. 

Brian Matusz (1987–2025), former Baltimore Orioles pitcher

Brian Matusz was a left-handed pitcher best known for his years with the Baltimore Orioles in the 2000s and 2010s. 

The Vivienne (1992–2025), RuPaul's Drag Race UK star

The Vivienne was a British drag performer best known as the 2019 winner of “RuPaul's Drag Race UK” and competitor on the 2022 season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars." 

Jeff Baena (1977–2025), The Little Hours filmmaker

Jeff Baena was a screenwriter and director known for such movies as “I Heart Huckabees” and “The Little Hours,” as well as the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza.

Miho Nakayama (1970–2024), Japanese singer and actress

Miho Nakayama was an award-winning Japanese singer and actress who rose to fame with a succession of Top 10 singles and the 1995 film “Love Letter.” 

Kabir Singh (1984–2024), stand-up comedian

Kabir Singh was a stand-up comedian who came to national attention when he earned his way to the semi-finals in season 16 of “America’s Got Talent.” 

Dr. Kelly Powers (1979–2024), Fox News regular

Dr. Kelly Powers was a podiatric surgeon and a familiar face on Fox News programs when she publicly shared her brain cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Israel Vázquez (1977–2024), three-time world champion boxer

Israel Vázquez was a Mexican boxer nicknamed "El Magnifico" whose three world championships and rivalry with Rafael Márquez made him one of Mexico’s most beloved boxers.

Bob Bryar (1979–2024), former My Chemical Romance drummer

Bob Bryar was the former drummer for My Chemical Romance, including on their hit 2006 album “The Black Parade.” 

Matt Byars (1987–2024), Real Housewives co-star

Matt Byars was a talent manager and PR agent best known for his appearances on the reality TV show “Real Housewives of Potomac.” 

Chad Posthumus (1991–2024), Canadian basketball player

Chad Posthumus was a Canadian basketball player who played for the Winnipeg Sea Bears, among others, in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. 

Paul Teal (1989–2024), One Tree Hill actor 

Paul Teal was an actor best known for his performance as Josh Avery on the TV drama “One Tree Hill.”

Vladimir Shklyarov (1985–2024), Russian ballet star

Vladimir Shklyarov was one of the leading male ballet dancers of his time, known for his work in his home nation of Russia, as well as in cities like New York City, London, and Munich. 

Song Jae-lim (1985–2024), South Korean actor

Song Jae-lim was a South Korean model-turned-actor best known for his work on reality show “We Got Married” and the TV drama “Moon Embracing the Sun.” 

Chauncy Glover (1985–2024), Emmy-winning news anchor

Chauncy Glover was a news anchor at KCAL in Los Angeles and KTRK in Houston, where he was known for his philanthropy and mentorship.

Jerrod Mustaf (1969–2024), Maryland basketball star

Jerrod Mustaf was a star basketball player at the University of Maryland who had a brief career with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, as well as overseas teams. 

Sarah Danser (1990–2024), Naked and Afraid star

Sarah Danser was a reality TV personality known for her appearances in several seasons of “Naked and Afraid” and its spin-off, “Naked and Afraid XL.”

DJ Clark Kent (1966–2024), producer who helped discover Jay-Z

DJ Clark Kent was a music insider and hip-hop producer who played a role in the rise of some of the genre’s biggest stars, including Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G.

Guilherme Vasconcelos (1986–2024), Brazilian MMA fighter

Guilherme “Bomba” Vasconcelos was a Brazilian MMA fighter who competed on the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” and became more widely known when he dated pop star Demi Lovato.

Liam Payne (1993–2024), One Direction singer

Liam Payne was a singer and pop star best known for his time with the best-selling British group One Direction, one of the biggest boy bands of all time.

Ka (1972–2024), Brooklyn rapper and NYC firefighter 

Ka was a prolific Brooklyn-based rapper whose lyrically-rich albums earned him accolades, and who was also known for his two-decade career as an FDNY firefighter, where he rose to captain.

Nell Smith (2007–2024), young singer with the Flaming Lips

Nell Smith was a singer known for her 2021 collaboration with the Flaming Lips, released when she was just 14 years old. 

Sammy Basso (1995–2024), progeria advocate and biologist

Sammy Basso was one of the oldest known people with the premature aging disease progeria, and he worked to find a cure for his own affliction. 

Taylor Rousseau Grigg (1999–2024), TikTok influencer

Taylor Rousseau Grigg was a TikTok star known for sharing her signature fashion and her lifestyle in videos watched by millions. 

Gavin Creel (1976–2024), award-winning Broadway headliner

Gavin Creel was an award-winning Broadway musical star known for his work in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Hair,” and “Hello, Dolly!” 

Michaela DePrince (1995–2024), ballerina who danced with Beyonce

Michaela DePrince was a ballerina who rose from a war-torn childhood to become a rising international star of the dance world.

Stephen Peat (1980–2024), former NHL enforcer

Stephen Peat was a right winger with the NHL’s Washington Capitals in the 2000s. 

Rich Homie Quan (1989–2024), Type of Way rapper

Dequantes Devontay Lamar , better known as Rich Homie Quan, was an Atlanta rapper known for trap hits like “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh).”

Johnny Gaudreau (1993–2024), All-Star NHL winger

Johnny Gaudreau was an All-Star winger in the NHL who played for nearly a decade with the Calgary Flames and most recently with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Rob “Rabbit” Pitts (1979–2024), Tex Mex Motors star

Rob “Rabbit” Pitts was a vintage car enthusiast known for his YouTube channel and his 2023 Netflix show, “Tex Mex Motors.” 

Rachael Lillis (1969–2024), voiced both Misty and Jessie in Pokémon

Rachael Lillis was a voice actress best known as the voices of Misty and Jessie in the hit animated series “Pokémon.” 

Susan Wojcicki (1968–2024), former YouTube CEO

Susan Wojcicki was a Silicon Valley executive and the former CEO of YouTube, responsible for urging Google to purchase the then-new streaming giant in 2006.

Shaun Martin (1978–2024), Snarky Puppy keyboardist

Shaun Martin was a seven-time Grammy Award winner as a keyboardist for the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy and music director and producer for gospel singer Kirk Franklin.

Waraire Boswell (1975–2024), fashion designer to NBA stars 

Waraire Boswell was a fashion designer known for his bespoke designs for NBA icons like LeBron James and . 

Chino XL (1974–2024), rapper and actor

Chino XL , who once beefed with , was a New Jersey-based rapper and actor best known for his debut album, “Here to Save You All.” 

Erica Ash (1977–2024), MADtv and Survivor’s Remorse actress

Erica Ash was an actress best known for her comedy work in the Fox sketch comedy show “MADtv” and the Starz sitcom “Survivor’s Remorse.” 

The Nelons plane crash (2024) 

Seven people were killed in a Wyoming plane crash on Friday, July 26, 2024, including three members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame group the Nelons.

Esta TerBlanche (1973–2024), All My Children star

Esta TerBlanche was a South African actress best known for playing Gillian Andrassy on “All My Children.” 

Naomi Pomeroy (1974–2024), Top Chef Masters star

Naomi Pomeroy was a Portland, Oregon chef who founded the restaurant Beast and competed on cooking shows like “Iron Chef” and “Top Chef Masters.” 

Jacoby Jones (1984–2024), former Baltimore Ravens receiver 

Jacoby Jones was a former NFL wide receiver and Pro-Bowl player who scored a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return touchdown with the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.

Benji Gregory (1978–2024), child actor from ALF

Benji Gregory was a child actor best known as Brian Tanner, the son on the 1980s sitcom “ALF.” 

Khyree Jackson (1999–2024), Minnesota Vikings rookie

Khyree Jackson was a former college football player about to make his professional debut as a cornerback with the Minnesota Vikings.

Lizzy Musi (1991–2024), star of Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings

Lizzy Musi was a professional race car driver and star of the reality series “Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings.”