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Tag: body

  • Central Valley officials find body near January crash site where woman disappeared

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    PEOPLE WHO WORKED AT THAT AREA WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED. NOW TO MERCED COUNTY, WHERE DEPUTIES FOUND A WOMAN’S BODY JUST SEVEN MILES FROM WHERE A WOMAN WAS REPORTED MISSING. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS LUPITA ONTIVEROS HAS NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE JANUARY 28TH. THAT’S WHEN SHE AND THREE OTHERS CRASHED A DUNE BUGGY INTO A CANAL. WHILE THE WOMAN’S BODY HAS NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED, THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAID

    Central Valley officials find body near January crash site where woman disappeared

    Updated: 10:44 PM PST Feb 8, 2026

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    A body was found a short distance from the site of a January crash where a woman has been missing ever since, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.On Jan. 28, four people riding a dune buggy crashed into a canal, and Lupita Ontiveros has not been seen since the crash, the sheriff’s office said.At 10:15 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office said it got a report of a body in the Delta Mendota Canal near Whitworth and Cottonwood roads, about seven miles from the January crash. A recovery team found the body of a woman who has yet to be identified.The California Highway Patrol is leading the search for Ontiveros, and the sheriff’s office said it is helping.While the body has not yet been identified, the sheriff’s office said it is hoping that it is Ontiveros. Once the next of kin is notified, officials will release the name of the body. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    MERCED, Calif. —

    A body was found a short distance from the site of a January crash where a woman has been missing ever since, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday.

    On Jan. 28, four people riding a dune buggy crashed into a canal, and Lupita Ontiveros has not been seen since the crash, the sheriff’s office said.

    At 10:15 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office said it got a report of a body in the Delta Mendota Canal near Whitworth and Cottonwood roads, about seven miles from the January crash. A recovery team found the body of a woman who has yet to be identified.

    The California Highway Patrol is leading the search for Ontiveros, and the sheriff’s office said it is helping.

    While the body has not yet been identified, the sheriff’s office said it is hoping that it is Ontiveros. Once the next of kin is notified, officials will release the name of the body.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Kayakers find body in Lake Natoma, California State Parks officials say

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    PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS? BREAKING NEWS THIS NOON HOUR IN FOLSOM. AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING A BODY FOUND IN LAKE NATOMA, CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS TELLS US A GROUP OF KAYAKERS SAW THE BODY OF A MAN AND CALLED POLICE. THIS WAS JUST ABOUT AN HOUR AGO NEAR BLACK MINERS BAR. WE KNOW FOLSOM FIRE IS ON THE SCENE RIGHT NOW. SACRAMENTO COUNTY CORONER ALSO RESPONDING TO THE SCENE. WE HAVE A REPORTER ON THE WAY. AS SOON AS WE GE

    Kayakers find body in Lake Natoma, California State Parks officials say

    Updated: 12:42 PM PST Jan 28, 2026

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    A group of kayakers on Wednesday found the body of a man in Lake Natoma, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.The kayakers found the body at the Black Miners Bar Boat Launch, south of Folsom Lake, and they alerted State Parks around 11 a.m.Details on the man’s identity or whether foul play is a factor were not released. It is also not known how long the body has been in the water.State Parks said the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is on the way.This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    FOLSOM, Calif. —

    A group of kayakers on Wednesday found the body of a man in Lake Natoma, according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

    The kayakers found the body at the Black Miners Bar Boat Launch, south of Folsom Lake, and they alerted State Parks around 11 a.m.

    Details on the man’s identity or whether foul play is a factor were not released. It is also not known how long the body has been in the water.

    State Parks said the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is on the way.

    This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

    See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Illinois surgeon pleads not guilty to the killings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in Ohio

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    An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home pleaded not guilty to the killings in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely on camera from jail for his arraignment in Franklin County, where he faced four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37. He was garbed in prison attire and did not speak during the brief hearing. Defense attorney Diane Menashe waived a request for bond, at least for now.The mystery that first surrounded the case — which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive — drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.Who is Michael David McKee?McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005 — the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011, and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.What is McKee accused of?An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes — whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom — and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the killings. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicle’s movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.A message seeking comment was left with McKee’s attorney.McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.How were the killings discovered?Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and “out of character” for Tepe, according to a 911 call.Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, “Oh, there’s a body. There’s a body. Oh my God.” He said he could see Spencer Tepe’s body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.The Franklin County Coroner’s Office deemed the killings an “apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”Who were the Tepes?Family members said the Tepes were “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.”They have described Monique as a “joyful mother,” avid baker and “thoughtful planner.” According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.Spencer Tepe got his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.

    COLUMBUS, Ohio —

    An Illinois doctor indicted on murder charges in the December shooting deaths of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in their Columbus home pleaded not guilty to the killings in an Ohio courtroom on Friday.

    Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely on camera from jail for his arraignment in Franklin County, where he faced four aggravated murder counts and one count of aggravated burglary while using a firearm suppressor in connection with the Dec. 30 double homicide of Monique Tepe, 39, and Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37. He was garbed in prison attire and did not speak during the brief hearing. Defense attorney Diane Menashe waived a request for bond, at least for now.

    The mystery that first surrounded the case — which featured no forced entry, no weapon and no obvious signs of theft, additional violence or a motive — drew national attention. McKee, of Chicago, was arrested 11 days later near his workplace in Rockford, Illinois. He was returned to Ohio on Tuesday to face the charges against him.

    Who is Michael David McKee?

    McKee attended Catholic high school in Zanesville, a historic Ohio city about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of the capital, according to the Diocese of Columbus. He enrolled at Ohio State University in September 2005 — the same semester that his future wife, then Monique Sabaturski, enrolled, university records show. Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in June 2009. Sabaturski earned a master of education degree from Ohio State in 2011, and McKee earned his medical degree there in 2014.

    Sabaturski and McKee married in Columbus in August 2015 but were living apart by the time Monique filed to end in the marriage in May 2017, court records show. Their divorce was granted that June. McKee was living in Virginia at the time, court and address records show. He completed a two-year fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in October 2022, according to the school.

    McKee also lived in and was licensed to practice medicine in both California and in Nevada, where he was among doctors named in a personal injury lawsuit in a Las Vegas court in 2023. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, where McKee was working at the time of his arrest, declined to provide specific information on the dates of his employment. His Illinois medical license became active in October 2024.

    What is McKee accused of?

    An Ohio grand jury indicted McKee in the double homicide last week.

    McKee is accused of illegally entering the Tepes’ home with a firearm equipped with a silencer, shooting the Tepes — whose bodies were found in a second-floor bedroom — and leaving the property along a dark alley alongside the house.

    Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said that McKee was the person seen walking down that alley in video footage captured the night of the killings. She also said a gun found in his Chicago apartment was a ballistic match to evidence at the scene and that his vehicle’s movements were tracked from Columbus back to Illinois.

    A message seeking comment was left with McKee’s attorney.

    McKee is charged with two aggravated murder counts for each homicide, one for prior calculation and design and one for committing the crime, as well as facing the aggravated burglary count. If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison with parole eligibility after 32 years and a maximum term of life in prison without parole.

    How were the killings discovered?

    Columbus police conducted a wellness check on Spencer Tepe at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, after his manager at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, reported that he had not shown up to work on that day, saying tardiness was very worrying and “out of character” for Tepe, according to a 911 call.

    Someone else called to request a wellness check before a distraught man who described himself as a friend of Spencer Tepe called police and said, “Oh, there’s a body. There’s a body. Oh my God.” He said he could see Spencer Tepe’s body was off the side of a bed in a pool of blood.

    The Franklin County Coroner’s Office deemed the killings an “apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.”

    Who were the Tepes?

    Family members said the Tepes were “extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy and deep connection to others.”

    They have described Monique as a “joyful mother,” avid baker and “thoughtful planner.” According to their obituaries, which were issued jointly, the pair were married in 2020.

    Spencer Tepe got his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 2012 and earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 2017, according to school records. He was a member of the American Dental Association and had been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

    They had two young children. Both were home at the time of the killings and left unharmed, as was the family dog.

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  • Woman whose body was pulled from Santa Ana River is identified as a mother of two

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    A woman whose body was pulled from the Santa Ana River in Orange County on New Year’s Day has been identified as 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres, coroner’s officials said. Her body had been carried by the river’s current from Santa Ana to Fountain Valley before it could be retrieved by fire crews.

    Ramirez Torres was the mother of two daughters, ages 11 and 16, according to a GoFundMe page created by her relatives.

    Orange County fire officials said crews responded to 911 calls before noon Thursday after bystanders reported seeing a body in the river near Warner Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

    Some 60 firefighters responded to the scene, including swift-water rescue teams. They found Ramirez Torres’ body south of the river’s juncture with the 405 Freeway, north of the Gisler Avenue river trail in Costa Mesa, about 1.5 miles from where witnesses first saw the woman.

    A ladder truck was used to lower a rescuer to the water and retrieve Ramirez Torres, who was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

    “This sudden and heartbreaking loss has deeply affected our family. We are doing everything we can to support Alejandra’s girls as they face an uncertain future without their mother,” states the GoFundMe page, which relatives said was set up to cover the costs of Ramirez Torres’ funeral and provide support for her daughters.

    The woman was a possible transient at the time of her death, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla confirmed Friday to the Daily Pilot.

    How and why she entered the river was not known.

    Cardine writes for The Times’ sister publication the Daily Pilot.

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    Stacy Perman, Sara Cardine

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  • How to actually make getting fit a successful New Year’s resolution

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    FROM TOWSON. A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IS I HAVE A TWIN SISTER, SO OUR GOAL IS TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OUR FITNESS GOALS, BE DISCIPLINED AND THAT’S WHY KARISMA GREEN IS UP EARLY AT PLANET FITNESS IN TOWSON. FOR TYRA WHEELER. CONSISTENCY HERE HASN’T JUST HELPED HIM CHANGE HIS BODY, IT’S CHANGED HIS LIFE. WITH MY CAREER, MY SCHOOLING, MY FAMILY, IT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO GO HARDER IN EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE. REALLY. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, ON NEW YEAR’S DAY, IN FACT, TYRELL SET OUT TO GO FROM FROM EXTREME BEING TO, YOU KNOW, A MEAN GREEN. AND BY NOT GIVING UP, HE’S GONE FROM THIS TO THIS. PUTTING ON NEARLY 30 POUNDS OF MUSCLE. AND ONCE YOU START TO SEE A CHANGE IN YOUR BODY, IT’S NO STOPPING THERE. PLANET FITNESS GENERAL MANAGER QUINTIN DAILEY SAYS THE KEY TO MAKING SURE YOU DON’T GIVE UP WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH, LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE DO, IS IT’S FINDING YOUR WHY, FINDING WHY YOU WANT TO DO THIS. IT MIGHT BE FOR HEALTH, IT MIGHT BE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. IT MIGHT BE FOR TO YOUR FAMILY CAN SEE YOU A LITTLE LONGER SO YOU CAN MOVE A LITTLE BIT BETTER SO YOU CAN GET A LITTLE STRONGER. ONCE YOU FIND YOUR WHY IT BECOMES A LOT EASIER. GETTING FIT IS A NUMBER ONE RESOLUTION ACCORDING TO YOUGOV.COM. ALSO ON THE LIST. BEING HAPPY, EATING HEALTHIER AND SAVING MORE MONEY. ADULTS UNDER 45 ARE ALSO ABOUT TWICE AS LIKELY AS OLDER AMERICANS TO SAY THEY WILL MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION. DO YOU HAVE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? NO, I DON’T HAVE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION. I BELIEVE IN MAKING PLANS EVERY DAY AND CARRYING THEM OUT EVERY DAY, INSTEAD OF JUST SAVING THEM UP FOR ONE DAY A YEAR. IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IT, DO TODAY. MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTION IS TO BE AT THE BE AT PEACE WITH THE WORLD. THE FIRST ONE IS FINISH COLLEGE. THAT’S THAT’S LIKE BOTTOM LINE, WORK IN THE FIELD WOULD BE THE SECOND GOAL AND JUST KEEP GROWING. IF YOU HAVE RESOLVED TO GET OUTDOORS MORE, WHY NOT JUST TAKE A HIKE? FIRST DAY HIKES IS A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE THAT THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS TAKING PART IN. SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GO ONLINE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN DO A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OR A RANGER LED TOUR. AND IT RUNS THROUGH JANUARY THE 2ND H

    Getting fit, healthy is a common New Year’s resolution. Here’s how to actually find success

    Updated: 10:38 AM EST Jan 4, 2026

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    People typically consider setting goals at the new year, so how does one find success?When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, many people got up early Thursday morning with a goal of getting fit in 2026.At Planet Fitness in Towson, Maryland, Tyrell Wheeler said consistency helped him change more than his body — it changed his life.”With my career, with my schooling, with my family, it just makes me want to go harder in every aspect of my life,” Wheeler said.On New Year’s Day about three years ago, Wheeler set out to “(go) from a string bean to a mean green.” And, by not giving up, he put on almost 30 pounds of muscle.Quintin Dailey, the gym’s general manager, said the key to making sure you don’t give up within the first month, as he sees most people do, is to find your why.”Once you start to see a change in your body, there’s no stopping there,” Dailey said. “(Find) the why you want to do this: It might be for health, it might be for your mental health, it might be so your family could see you longer, move a little bit better, so you can get stronger. Once you find your why, it becomes a lot easier.” Getting fit is the No. 1 resolution, according to a YouGov survey. Also on the list: Being happy (23%), eating healthier (22%) and saving more money (21%).The survey found adults under 45 are about twice as likely as older Americans to say they will make a New Year’s resolution (43% vs. 21%).”I don’t have a New Year’s resolution. I believe in making plans every day, carrying them out every day, (not) just saving them up for one day a year. If it’s the right thing to do, do it today,” said Bernie Simon, a gym patron.”The first one is finish college, bottom line. Second would be to work in the field. And then, just keep growing,” said Dylan Johnson, a gym patron.

    TOWSON, Md. —

    People typically consider setting goals at the new year, so how does one find success?

    When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, many people got up early Thursday morning with a goal of getting fit in 2026.

    At Planet Fitness in Towson, Maryland, Tyrell Wheeler said consistency helped him change more than his body — it changed his life.

    “With my career, with my schooling, with my family, it just makes me want to go harder in every aspect of my life,” Wheeler said.

    On New Year’s Day about three years ago, Wheeler set out to “(go) from a string bean to a mean green.” And, by not giving up, he put on almost 30 pounds of muscle.

    Quintin Dailey, the gym’s general manager, said the key to making sure you don’t give up within the first month, as he sees most people do, is to find your why.

    “Once you start to see a change in your body, there’s no stopping there,” Dailey said. “(Find) the why you want to do this: It might be for health, it might be for your mental health, it might be so your family could see you longer, move a little bit better, so you can get stronger. Once you find your why, it becomes a lot easier.”

    Getting fit is the No. 1 resolution, according to a YouGov survey. Also on the list: Being happy (23%), eating healthier (22%) and saving more money (21%).

    The survey found adults under 45 are about twice as likely as older Americans to say they will make a New Year’s resolution (43% vs. 21%).

    “I don’t have a New Year’s resolution. I believe in making plans every day, carrying them out every day, (not) just saving them up for one day a year. If it’s the right thing to do, do it today,” said Bernie Simon, a gym patron.

    “The first one is finish college, bottom line. Second would be to work in the field. And then, just keep growing,” said Dylan Johnson, a gym patron.

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  • Body recovered at California beach identified by family as possible shark attack victim

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    A body recovered on a remote beach in California has been identified by the family as Erica Fox, a swimmer who went missing after a suspected shark attack on Dec. 21.Fox, 55, was the co-founder of Kelp Krawlers, a swim group that traditionally swims at Lovers Point, a state marine reserve in Pacific Grove, every Sunday. She went missing during the group’s weekly swim with about a dozen other swimmers. The group returned to shore, but Fox was missing.Fox’s father, James Fox, confirmed to sister station KSBW that the woman recovered on a “remote pocket beach” was his daughter. He said she was identified by the clothing she was wearing. The Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office, which handles official identification, has not released her identity.Witnesses reported seeing a large splash and a possible shark encounter near Lovers Point around noon on Dec. 21. One witness told the U.S. Coast Guard they saw a shark breach with what appeared to be a human body, then disappear underwater. Another swimmer in the group later also confirmed Fox was unaccounted for.The search for Fox was formally suspended Monday evening after crews were unable to find any signs of her. Around 12:35 p.m. local time Saturday, CAL FIRE CZU said it assisted in recovering a woman’s body from the water at a beach about 45 miles north of Pacific Grove.James Fox said several members of the Kelp Krawlers swim club gathered at Lovers Point on Sunday for an impromptu memorial to honor Erica.

    SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. —

    A body recovered on a remote beach in California has been identified by the family as Erica Fox, a swimmer who went missing after a suspected shark attack on Dec. 21.

    Fox, 55, was the co-founder of Kelp Krawlers, a swim group that traditionally swims at Lovers Point, a state marine reserve in Pacific Grove, every Sunday.

    She went missing during the group’s weekly swim with about a dozen other swimmers. The group returned to shore, but Fox was missing.

    Fox’s father, James Fox, confirmed to sister station KSBW that the woman recovered on a “remote pocket beach” was his daughter. He said she was identified by the clothing she was wearing.

    The Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office, which handles official identification, has not released her identity.

    Witnesses reported seeing a large splash and a possible shark encounter near Lovers Point around noon on Dec. 21.

    One witness told the U.S. Coast Guard they saw a shark breach with what appeared to be a human body, then disappear underwater. Another swimmer in the group later also confirmed Fox was unaccounted for.

    The search for Fox was formally suspended Monday evening after crews were unable to find any signs of her.

    Around 12:35 p.m. local time Saturday, CAL FIRE CZU said it assisted in recovering a woman’s body from the water at a beach about 45 miles north of Pacific Grove.

    James Fox said several members of the Kelp Krawlers swim club gathered at Lovers Point on Sunday for an impromptu memorial to honor Erica.

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  • Swimmer believed to be victim of shark is found dead, a shark-deterrent band around her ankle

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    For days, divers scanned the waters off Lovers Point hoping to find a trace of Erica Fox, the missing open-water swimmer believed to have been killed by a shark on Dec. 21.

    The intensive search involving multiple agencies came to an end last weekend when rescue teams recovered Fox’s body six days after she vanished from Monterey Bay, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday night. Fox was identified based on personal items recovered with her remains, including a shark-deterrent band worn on her ankle.

    “Erica was doing what she loved — connected to the ocean, alive in her element. That matters. She didn’t lose her life in fear, but in passion,” Juan Heredia, a rescue diver who searched tirelessly for Fox, wrote in a statement.

    A well-known figure in the local open-water swimming community, Fox was a co-founder of the Kelp Krawlers, a Pacific Grove-based group that swims year-round in Monterey Bay.

    A friend and fellow swimmer, Sara Rubin, was among a group of 15 swimmers present when Fox disappeared. Rubin later wrote about the incident in local news outlet Monterey County Now.

    “A harbor seal swam under me for close to a minute as I approached the beach, one of those wildlife-human interactions that we cherish,” Rubin wrote. “Like the other swimmers, I was unaware that a tragedy was happening, with only the sounds of my own strokes splashing.”

    While the group was in the water, two witnesses reported the incident from shore around noon, telling Pacific Grove police that a swimmer may have encountered a shark, department officials said. When Rubin and the others returned to the beach, they realized Fox was not accounted for.

    Police and fire crews from Pacific Grove and Monterey quickly launched a search-and-rescue operation, supported by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks and multiple aircraft and vessels, authorities said. Beaches in Pacific Grove and Monterey closed for days as a precaution.

    Despite more than 15 hours of searching across roughly 84 square nautical miles, crews were unable to locate Fox, and the active search was suspended later that day, according to police.

    Divers including Heredia and Fox’s husband, Jean-François Vanreusel, continued scouring the rocky coastline until Fox’s remains werefound by law enforcement on Dec. 27 several miles north of Lovers Point. Cal Fire crews used a rope system to retrieve the body of the swimmer, clad in a black-and-blue wetsuit, from a remote stretch of beach south of Davenport, according to officials.

    “Today, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a body was recovered from the ocean south of Davenport Beach,” the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Due to the close proximity to the recent shark attack victim in Monterey County, our agency is working closely with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the Pacific Grove Police Department regarding the recovery.”

    Sheriff’s officials did not identify the body as Fox until Monday night. Officials said a coroner’s report would be released once available.

    The encounter was the second shark-related incident at Lovers Point in three years. In 2022, 62-year-old Steve Bruemmer was rescued by passersby after a shark bit him across his thighs and abdomen. Bruemmer belonged to the same swimming club.

    Incidents of sharks attacking humans remain rare in California. According to data from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, there have been about 230 documented shark incidents statewide since 1950, with just 17 fatalities. Experts say the rise in reported encounters largely reflects increased ocean use and improved reporting, not a surge in aggressive shark behavior.

    At a Sunday morning memorial, club members and friends walked together along the bluffs at Lovers Point, tracing the route of Fox’s final mile in the water, the Mercury News reported.

    In her column, Rubin remembered Fox as a “bright light of a person” and a passionate triathlete and writer.

    “She developed a deeply intimate relationship with the Pacific Ocean not by studying it or by looking at it, but by getting into it — again and again and again, on choppy days and gloriously calm days, logging what I can only guess are thousands of miles.”

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    Gavin J. Quinton

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  • San Diego woman who pleaded guilty to scheme to kill husband dies by suicide

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    A La Jolla woman who previously pleaded guilty to trying to pay an undercover detective $2 million to kill her husband was found dead last week, authorities said.

    Tatyana Natasha Remley, 44, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Dec. 18, according to the San Diego medical examiner’s office. She died at Piazza della Famigia, a public square in the heart of Little Italy, on 523 W. Date St. in San Diego.

    Remley’s body was found outside a bar, according to witnesses. Soon after the incident last week, police responded to the scene and covered her body with a yellow tarp.

    David Ohara, an eyewitness to the incident, later described what he saw on X.

    “I just witnessed a suicide,” Ohara wrote. “The young lady shot one time in the air and then turned the gun on herself.”

    Court records show that Remley had two run-ins with the law, one dating back to 2023 and another in September of this year.

    On July 11, 2023, Remley filed for divorce from her estranged husband, Mark Remley, who was 57 years old at the time. The couple, who married in 2011, produced an equine-human acrobatics show called Valitar.

    The show, set to premiere at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, was canceled “due to poor ticket sales and artistic differences with some of the performers,” according to an article from the Coast News Group in 2012.

    Some employees told the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2012 that the Remleys rushed the production and failed to pay performers for about a month.

    But court records revealed that the couple was well off, owning six homes at one point. According to the Union-Tribune, Mark Remley bought his then-wife a $218,000 engagement ring.

    However, signs of trouble emerged even before the divorce was filed. On July 2, 2023, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a fire at the couple’s $5-million home in the 4600 block of Rancho Reposo.

    Remley, who was home at the time authorities arrived, had three guns and ammunition in her possession, according to deputies. She was arrested that day on suspicion of firearm-related offenses.

    The cause of the fire was unknown at the time, but in September of this year, Remley was charged with felony arson. She was accused of setting fire to a structure and forest land. She pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was set to appear in court on March 3, 2026.

    The following day, deputies received a tip that she was looking to hire a hitman to kill her husband, according to a previous Times report.

    Remley met up with an undercover sheriff’s detective to hash out the plan on Aug. 2.

    “She provided detailed information on how she wanted her husband killed and his body disposed,” the department said in a news release in 2023. “Remley brought three additional firearms and U.S. currency as a down payment for the murder.”

    Remley allegedly offered $2 million in exchange for the slaying, authorities said.

    In December 2023, she pleaded guilty to solicitation of murder and was sentenced to three years and eight months in state prison. She only served one year of her sentence, according to ABC 10 News San Diego.

    In a final post to her Instagram account in October, Remley spoke about overcoming obstacles.

    “I want to talk about how beautiful life is,” Remley said in the video. “Love yourself no matter what someone does to you. No matter how hurt you get.”

    Remley celebrated her 44th birthday 10 days before her death.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, seek help from a professional or call 988. The nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline will connect callers with trained mental health counselors. Or text “HOME” to 741741 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Crisis Text Line.

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    Jasmine Mendez

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  • Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles home

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    Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside. Reiner turned 78 in March.Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”His role as Meathead in Norman Lear’s 1970s TV classic “All in the Family,” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker, catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said they were bereft by the news.“Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” said a Lear family statement. “Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.”Messages to Reiner’s representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.Killings are rare in the Brentwood neighborhood. The scene is about a mile from the home where O.J. Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed in 1994.Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed.

    LOS ANGELES —

    Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

    The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

    Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.

    The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside. Reiner turned 78 in March.

    Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.

    Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.

    Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”

    His role as Meathead in Norman Lear’s 1970s TV classic “All in the Family,” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker, catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.

    Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said they were bereft by the news.

    “Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” said a Lear family statement. “Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.”

    Messages to Reiner’s representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.

    “Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”

    The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.

    Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.

    Killings are rare in the Brentwood neighborhood. The scene is about a mile from the home where O.J. Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed in 1994.

    Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed.

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  • Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles home

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    Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside. Reiner turned 78 in March.Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”His role as Meathead in Norman Lear’s 1970s TV classic “All in the Family,” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker, catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said they were bereft by the news.“Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” said a Lear family statement. “Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.”Messages to Reiner’s representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.Killings are rare in the Brentwood neighborhood. The scene is about a mile from the home where O.J. Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed in 1994.Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed.

    LOS ANGELES —

    Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

    The official could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

    Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and a family member is being questioned by investigators, the official said.

    The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside. Reiner turned 78 in March.

    Detectives with the Robbery Homicide Division were investigating an “apparent homicide” at Reiner’s home, said Capt. Mike Bland with the Los Angeles Police Department.

    Los Angeles authorities have not confirmed the identities of the people found dead at the residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the city’s west side that’s home to many celebrities.

    Reiner was long one of the most prolific directors in Hollywood, and his work included some of the most memorable movies of the 1980s and ’90s, including “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “The Princess Bride.”

    His role as Meathead in Norman Lear’s 1970s TV classic “All in the Family,” alongside Carol O’Connor’s Archie Bunker, catapulted him to fame and won him two Emmy Awards.

    Relatives of Lear, the legendary producer who died in 2023, said they were bereft by the news.

    “Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world,” said a Lear family statement. “Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends.”

    Messages to Reiner’s representatives were not immediately returned Sunday night.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called Reiner’s death a devastating loss for the city.

    “Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” Bass said in a statement. “An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others.”

    The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing “When Harry Met Sally” and have three children together.

    Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. He adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner died in 2020 at age 98 and Marshall died in 2018.

    Killings are rare in the Brentwood neighborhood. The scene is about a mile from the home where O.J. Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were killed in 1994.

    Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed.

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  • Police identify woman whose body was found in a Miami Dollar Tree freezer

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    Just before a Dollar Tree opened Sunday morning, a woman’s body was found in a store freezer, Miami police said.

    Officers got to the discount store, 968 SW Eighth St. in Little Havana, around 8 a.m. after an employee found the woman later identified by police as 32-year-old Helen Massiell Garay Sanchez.

    As of Sunday afternoon, “It’s an Unclassified Death,” Miami police officer Michael Vega wrote in an email, but “we have to wait for the medical examiner’s report.”

    Crime scene tape and a Miami police car are in front of the Dollar Tree store at 968 SW Eighth St. in Little Havana on Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2025. A woman’s body was found in the freezer Sunday morning, police say.
    Crime scene tape and a Miami police car are in front of the Dollar Tree store at 968 SW Eighth St. in Little Havana on Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2025. A woman’s body was found in the freezer Sunday morning, police say. David J. Neal dneal@miamiherald.com

    The Goodwill store next door to the Dollar Tree and the Taco Bell just east did their usual Sunday business. Across Southwest Eighth Street, Little Havana residents recorded police officers and investigating detectives going in and out of the Dollar Tree.

    One of the freezers inside the Dollar Tree store in Little Havana where a woman’s body was found on Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2025.
    One of the freezers inside the Dollar Tree store in Little Havana where a woman’s body was found on Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2025. Michael Butler mbutler@miamiherald.com

    Sanchez’s grieving family members consoled each other behind crime scene tape in front of the Goodwill store. Once they came from behind the tape, they politely declined to speak with media before leaving once the woman’s body was removed.

    The store, which normally opens at 8 a.m., opened shortly after 1 p.m. as crowds stood on the sidewalk chatting amongst each other, waiting to get in. A manager greeted customers as they came in, saying, “Hello” to all, not something normally done at the store.

    This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

    This story was originally published December 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM.

    David J. Neal

    Miami Herald

    Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

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    David J. Neal,Michael Butler

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  • Investigators seek help identifying woman found dead on mountainside in San Bernardino

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    Investigators in San Bernardino County are seeking the public’s help in identifying a woman who was found dead on the side of a mountain in Crestline.

    Deputies from the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station responded to a call about a body near the intersection of Highway 138 and Crestline Road on Nov. 18 around 11:42 a.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. They located the woman about 75 feet down a steep embankment.

    The stretch of highway is also referred to as the “Rim of the World Scenic Byway” because of its panoramic views along mountain edges.

    Officials described the woman as 48 to 60 years old, 5-foot-1 tall and weighing 115 pounds. She was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants and white-and-black New Balance shoes. She has bleached blond hair, brown eyes and no tattoos.

    The woman was transported to the county Coroner’s Office where an autopsy found injuries consistent with a fall, the sheriff’s department said.

    They are asking anyone with information about the woman’s identity to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coronor Division at (909) 378-2978 and reference case number 702507482. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at (800) 78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

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    Hayley Smith

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  • Israel identifies the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or

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    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.Palestinian militants released Or’s remains Tuesday.Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.Dror Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.That day, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.Two of Or’s children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on Oct. 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two — one Israeli and one Thai national— are still in Gaza.Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has increased during the ceasefire, both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.

    That leaves the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion.

    Palestinian militants released Or’s remains Tuesday.

    Israel has agreed to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

    Dror Or was killed by Islamic Jihad militants who overran his home in Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military said. His wife, Yonat Or, was also killed in the attack.

    That day, Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 to Gaza. Kibbutz Beeri was one of the hardest-hit farming communities in that attack that started the war in Gaza.

    Two of Or’s children, Alma and Noam, were abducted by the militants on Oct. 7 and released in a hostage deal in November 2023.

    Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. The remains of two — one Israeli and one Thai national— are still in Gaza.

    Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 69,700 Palestinians have been killed and 170,800 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has increased during the ceasefire, both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

    The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

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  • ‘Dude, call the police’: Body found in Frederick Co. after man calls into radio station with tip – WTOP News

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    What started with a phone call to a radio show in Frederick, Maryland, turned into a death investigation.

    What started out as a phone call to a D.C.-area radio show Friday turned into a death investigation in Frederick, Maryland.

    Several media outlets reported a man called DC 101.1’s “Elliot in the Morning” show and told hosts that they found a body in the woods.

    The caller, only identified as “Joseph,” said they’d found the body 18 days before, located near a campsite.

    “This may sound sick, but I’ve always wanted to come upon something like that,” the caller said, describing that the area where the body was found had once been part of a “tent city” that had since been shuttered.

    He told the show he hadn’t called police, which hosts of the show said he needed to do.

    “Dude, call the police,” Elliot Segal said.

    Frederick Police confirmed hours afterward that investigators found a body in a wooded area near East Street and Carroll Creek Crossing. At the time, officials said there was “no threat to the public.”

    In a statement to WTOP, Frederick police said that, as of Sunday, “identification and cause of death have not yet been confirmed.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Nicole Smith at NESmith@FrederickMDPolice.org or 301-600-2102.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Valerie Bonk

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  • New Mexico boy receives life-changing heart transplant

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    Hunter Rael, an 8-year-old boy from New Mexico, has received a new heart after experiencing Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and serious heart issues.Hunter’s family received a life-changing phone call on Tuesday, informing them that a new heart was available for him. “We were in shock. We were a mix of emotions. We were crying,” Anna Moya, his mother, said.The news comes right around Hunter’s three-year anniversary of his Kawasaki disease diagnosis. On Nov. 1, 2022, Hunter was diagnosed with the rare illness. It primarily affects young children and causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, but in Hunter’s case, it caused serious heart issues.According to the Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease most often affects the heart arteries in children. Kids with the illness sometimes have a high fever, swollen hands and feet with skin peeling, red eyes, and tongue. The Mayo Clinic reports that with early treatment, most children get better and have no long-lasting symptoms. On Tuesday, Hunter just got back to New Mexico after traveling to Colorado for a checkup at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Around 11 that morning, he received a phone call he’s been waiting for. “You need to come back. We found Hunter a heart, and it’s go time,” said Moya. He and his mom immediately got on a plane and headed to Colorado.At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hunter underwent surgery. Cell phone video shared by his family shows the 8-year-old being wheeled back to surgery as he listens to his favorite artist, Jelly Roll. Hunter said Jelly Roll’s music helps keep him calm and gets him through tough times.In October, Hunter got a surprise package from Jelly Roll’s team. It included some gifts and a signed album. According to Hunter, meeting the artist would be a dream come true.Doctors found a bleed flooding the transplant, but were able to fix it. Hunter’s family says right now, Hunter is in stable condition after having a rough night.As of Thursday, Hunter was on an ECMO machine to allow his heart and lungs to rest and heal. His family told sister station KOAT that things are looking good, but it’s going to take some time to see how his body adjusts to the new heart.”They’re slowly starting to kind of wake him up off the sedation. He’ll probably be on that for a few more days. Then we’ll probably have more like of an understanding, make sure everything’s going good, no brain damage, because he’s had a hard hit,” said Moya. “It’s really affecting his body. He’s kind of swollen right now, and they’re trying just to get everything under control.”Hunter and his family want to thank everyone who’s reached out and has been following his journey. “We appreciate all the prayers. Just keep rooting for him. Just keep praying,” said Moya. ‘”As soon as I’m able to show you guys his beautiful face and he’s awake, I will, I will do that … we’ll get him singing Jelly Roll again and we’re going to get there. It’s just going to take time.”

    Hunter Rael, an 8-year-old boy from New Mexico, has received a new heart after experiencing Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and serious heart issues.

    Hunter’s family received a life-changing phone call on Tuesday, informing them that a new heart was available for him.

    “We were in shock. We were a mix of emotions. We were crying,” Anna Moya, his mother, said.

    The news comes right around Hunter’s three-year anniversary of his Kawasaki disease diagnosis. On Nov. 1, 2022, Hunter was diagnosed with the rare illness. It primarily affects young children and causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, but in Hunter’s case, it caused serious heart issues.

    According to the Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease most often affects the heart arteries in children. Kids with the illness sometimes have a high fever, swollen hands and feet with skin peeling, red eyes, and tongue. The Mayo Clinic reports that with early treatment, most children get better and have no long-lasting symptoms.

    On Tuesday, Hunter just got back to New Mexico after traveling to Colorado for a checkup at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Around 11 that morning, he received a phone call he’s been waiting for.

    “You need to come back. We found Hunter a heart, and it’s go time,” said Moya.

    He and his mom immediately got on a plane and headed to Colorado.

    At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hunter underwent surgery. Cell phone video shared by his family shows the 8-year-old being wheeled back to surgery as he listens to his favorite artist, Jelly Roll. Hunter said Jelly Roll’s music helps keep him calm and gets him through tough times.

    In October, Hunter got a surprise package from Jelly Roll’s team. It included some gifts and a signed album. According to Hunter, meeting the artist would be a dream come true.

    Doctors found a bleed flooding the transplant, but were able to fix it. Hunter’s family says right now, Hunter is in stable condition after having a rough night.

    As of Thursday, Hunter was on an ECMO machine to allow his heart and lungs to rest and heal. His family told sister station KOAT that things are looking good, but it’s going to take some time to see how his body adjusts to the new heart.

    “They’re slowly starting to kind of wake him up off the sedation. He’ll probably be on that for a few more days. Then we’ll probably have more like of an understanding, make sure everything’s going good, no brain damage, because he’s had a hard hit,” said Moya. “It’s really affecting his body. He’s kind of swollen right now, and they’re trying just to get everything under control.”

    Hunter and his family want to thank everyone who’s reached out and has been following his journey.

    “We appreciate all the prayers. Just keep rooting for him. Just keep praying,” said Moya. ‘”As soon as I’m able to show you guys his beautiful face and he’s awake, I will, I will do that … we’ll get him singing Jelly Roll again and we’re going to get there. It’s just going to take time.”

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  • Can Cannabis Help You Survive Daylight Savings Time

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    Can cannabis help you survive Daylight Savings Time? Discover how it eases sleep, stress, and sluggish mornings

    Twice a year, millions of Americans grumble as the clocks shift for Daylight Savings Time (DST). This weekend marks the annual “fall back,” when most of the country gains an hour of sleep, but our internal clocks aren’t always so quick to reset. From sluggish mornings to restless nights, the change can wreak havoc on mood, energy, and sleep. But can cannabis help you survive daylight savings time?

    RELATED: Cannabis Helps The Young And Old Sleep

    Daylight Savings Time was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 as a way to save candles and make better use of daylight. The U.S. formally adopted it during World War I to conserve fuel and again in World War II. Today, nearly every state observes it (except Hawaii and most of Arizona). Originally meant to save energy and increase productivity, DST has become controversial, with studies suggesting it can actually disrupt human health and safety more than it helps.

    Photo by underworld111/Getty Images

    Human bodies run on a 24-hour circadian rhythm — a natural sleep-wake cycle driven by light exposure. When we shift the clocks, even by an hour, that rhythm gets out of sync. The result? Fatigue, mood swings, increased stress hormones, and, for some, higher risks of heart attacks and car accidents immediately following the time change. Sleep experts say it can take several days — sometimes up to two weeks — for the body to fully adjust.

    Cannabis may offer a modern tool for this age-old annoyance. Studies suggest certain cannabinoids, especially CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), can influence the body’s endocannabinoid system — the internal network regulating sleep, appetite, and mood.

    CBD, known for its calming and anti-anxiety properties, can help reduce stress and promote better-quality rest without the intoxicating effects of THC. Meanwhile, low to moderate doses of THC can help users fall asleep faster and experience deeper sleep cycles, particularly for those who suffer from insomnia or restless nights.

    RELATED: The Connection Between Country Music And Cannabis

    Experts recommend timing and dosage carefully. CBD is often best taken an hour before bedtime to relax the body, while THC may work better for those who need to initiate sleep. Cannabis users should avoid heavy consumption or overly potent strains, which can cause grogginess or interfere with REM sleep.

    Beyond cannabis, good sleep hygiene helps the transition. Limiting screen time, avoiding caffeine after noon, and exposing yourself to natural morning light can all help the circadian system realign.

    As Americans continue to debate whether Daylight Savings Time should stay or go, one thing is certain, the grogginess is real. For those looking for a natural way to rebalance their body clock, cannabis might just make “falling back” a little easier.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • 4 found dead inside Fullerton home after friend reported mass drug overdose, police say

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    Fullerton police said they discovered the bodies of four people inside a residence after a friend reported they had overdosed and were not breathing.

    Authorities said they were called to an apartment in the 100 block of Wilshire Avenue at 11:01 a.m. on Tuesday and the bodies were discovered.

    “There is no immediate threat to the public,” the police said in a statement.

    Two women console each other after learning of the deaths of four softball teammates.

    (KTLA-TV Channel 5)

    Detectives have launched a death investigation. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of the deceased, but a friend of the group told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that they were all part of the same softball team.

    Police did not confirm the deaths were a result of a drug overdose and could not immediately be reached for additional comment on Wednesday.

    But drug use has become a growing concern in the county in recent years.

    In Orange County, the rate of death due to opioid overdose nearly tripled from 2017 to 2021, from 7.9 deaths per 100,000 to 23.2. The largest increase occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the overdose rate rising 88% between 2019 and 2020, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

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    Hannah Fry

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  • Decomposed body found Monday near Decatur High School, police say

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    Police lights at night.

    Police lights at night.


    Chalabala

    Getty Images/iStockphoto

    A decomposed body was found near Decatur High School on Monday morning, according to multiple news outlets.

    The unidentified body, which is believed to be a female, was found by a rancher searching for livestock that had wandered off, officials told WFAA. It was some distance from the school and officials do not believe the body is connected to the high school.

    The Wise County Messenger reported that the body was found at 10:20 a.m. Monday on an adjacent property northwest of the high school.

    With the investigation ongoing, the body was transported to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for further examination.

    The Star-Telegram reached out to the Decatur Police Department for updated information, but no one from the communications office was available for comment.

    Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Rachel Royster

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.

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    Rachel Royster

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  • Israel says transfer of aid into Gaza is halted ‘until further notice’ as ceasefire faces major test

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    The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major test Sunday as an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory is halted “until further notice” after a Hamas ceasefire violation, and Israeli forces launched a wave of strikes.The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement on the halt in aid, which is occurring a little over a week since the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war.Israel’s military earlier Sunday said its troops came under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza. Health officials said at least 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes in central and southern Gaza.Israel’s military said it had struck dozens of what it called Hamas targets.A senior Egyptian official involved in the ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” contacts were underway to de-escalate the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations but didn’t threaten to return to war.Israel’s military said militants fired at troops in areas of Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled according to the agreed-upon ceasefire lines. No injuries were reported. The military said Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery.Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and “we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas.”Shortly before sunset, Israel’s military said it had begun a series of airstrikes in southern Gaza against what it called Hamas targets. It also said its forces struck “terrorists” approaching troops in Beit Lahiya in the north.Strikes in GazaAn Israeli airstrike killed at least six Palestinians in central Gaza, health officials said. The strike hit a makeshift coffeehouse on the coastal side of the town of Zawaida, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government.Another Israeli strike killed at least two people close to the Al-Ahly soccer club in the Nuseirat refugee camp, the ministry said. The strike hit a tent and wounded eight others, said Awda hospital, which received the casualties.A third strike hit a tent in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis in the south, killing at least one person, according to Nasser hospital.An Israeli military official told journalists there had been three incidents Sunday, two in southern Gaza and one in the north, and noted that the update was partial for now.More bodies of hostages identifiedIsrael identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight.Netanyahu’s office said the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri.Both were believed to have been killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the war. Engel’s wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped and released in a ceasefire in November 2023.Hamas in the past week has handed over the remains of 12 hostages.Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that it had found the body of a hostage and would return it on Sunday “if circumstances in the field” allowed. It warned that any escalation by Israel would hamper search efforts.Israel on Saturday said the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would stay closed “until further notice” and its reopening would depend on how Hamas fulfills its ceasefire role of returning the remains of all 28 deceased hostages.Hamas says the devastation and Israeli military control of certain areas of Gaza have slowed the handover. Israel believes Hamas has access to more bodies than it has returned.Israel has released 150 bodies of Palestinians back to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel has neither identified the bodies nor said how they died. The ministry has posted photos of bodies on its website to help families attempting to locate loved ones. The bodies were decomposed and blackened. and some were missing limbs and teeth.Only 25 bodies have been identified, the Health Ministry said.After Israel and Hamas exchanged 20 living hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the handover of remains is a major issue in the first stage of the ceasefire. A major scale-up of humanitarian aid, including the opening of the Rafah crossing, for people entering or leaving Gaza, is the other central issue.Ceasefire’s second phaseHamas said talks with mediators to start the ceasefire’s second phase have begun.The next stages of the ceasefire are expected to focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas it controls in Gaza, and future governance of the devastated territory.Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, said late Saturday that the second phase of negotiations “requires national consensus.” He said Hamas has begun discussions to “solidify its positions,” without giving details.According to the U.S. plan, the negotiations will include disarming Hamas and the establishment of an internationally backed authority to run Gaza.Kassem reiterated that the group won’t be part of the ruling authority in a postwar Gaza. He called for the prompt establishment of a body of Palestinian technocrats to run day-to-day affairs.For now, “government agencies in Gaza continue to perform their duties, as the vacuum is very dangerous, and this will continue until an administrative committee is formed and agreed upon by all Palestinian factions,” he said.Rafah border crossingThe Rafah crossing was the only one not controlled by Israel before the war. It has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the Gaza side. A fully reopened crossing would make it easier for Palestinians to seek medical treatment, travel or visit family in Egypt, home to tens of thousands of Palestinians.On Sunday, the Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry in Ramallah announced procedures for Palestinians wishing to leave or enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing. For those who want to leave Gaza, Palestinian Embassy staff from Cairo will be at the crossing to issue temporary travel documents that allow entry into Egypt. Palestinians who wish to enter Gaza will need to apply at the embassy.The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed them without providing its own toll.Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross.Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the attack that sparked the war.___Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.

    TEL AVIV, Israel —

    The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major test Sunday as an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory is halted “until further notice” after a Hamas ceasefire violation, and Israeli forces launched a wave of strikes.

    The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement on the halt in aid, which is occurring a little over a week since the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war.

    Israel’s military earlier Sunday said its troops came under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza. Health officials said at least 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes in central and southern Gaza.

    Israel’s military said it had struck dozens of what it called Hamas targets.

    A senior Egyptian official involved in the ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” contacts were underway to de-escalate the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations but didn’t threaten to return to war.

    Israel’s military said militants fired at troops in areas of Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled according to the agreed-upon ceasefire lines. No injuries were reported. The military said Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery.

    Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and “we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas.”

    Shortly before sunset, Israel’s military said it had begun a series of airstrikes in southern Gaza against what it called Hamas targets. It also said its forces struck “terrorists” approaching troops in Beit Lahiya in the north.

    Strikes in Gaza

    An Israeli airstrike killed at least six Palestinians in central Gaza, health officials said. The strike hit a makeshift coffeehouse on the coastal side of the town of Zawaida, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government.

    Another Israeli strike killed at least two people close to the Al-Ahly soccer club in the Nuseirat refugee camp, the ministry said. The strike hit a tent and wounded eight others, said Awda hospital, which received the casualties.

    A third strike hit a tent in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis in the south, killing at least one person, according to Nasser hospital.

    An Israeli military official told journalists there had been three incidents Sunday, two in southern Gaza and one in the north, and noted that the update was partial for now.

    More bodies of hostages identified

    Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight.

    Netanyahu’s office said the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri.

    Both were believed to have been killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the war. Engel’s wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped and released in a ceasefire in November 2023.

    Hamas in the past week has handed over the remains of 12 hostages.

    Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said that it had found the body of a hostage and would return it on Sunday “if circumstances in the field” allowed. It warned that any escalation by Israel would hamper search efforts.

    Israel on Saturday said the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would stay closed “until further notice” and its reopening would depend on how Hamas fulfills its ceasefire role of returning the remains of all 28 deceased hostages.

    Hamas says the devastation and Israeli military control of certain areas of Gaza have slowed the handover. Israel believes Hamas has access to more bodies than it has returned.

    Israel has released 150 bodies of Palestinians back to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel has neither identified the bodies nor said how they died. The ministry has posted photos of bodies on its website to help families attempting to locate loved ones. The bodies were decomposed and blackened. and some were missing limbs and teeth.

    Only 25 bodies have been identified, the Health Ministry said.

    After Israel and Hamas exchanged 20 living hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the handover of remains is a major issue in the first stage of the ceasefire. A major scale-up of humanitarian aid, including the opening of the Rafah crossing, for people entering or leaving Gaza, is the other central issue.

    Ceasefire’s second phase

    Hamas said talks with mediators to start the ceasefire’s second phase have begun.

    The next stages of the ceasefire are expected to focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas it controls in Gaza, and future governance of the devastated territory.

    Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, said late Saturday that the second phase of negotiations “requires national consensus.” He said Hamas has begun discussions to “solidify its positions,” without giving details.

    According to the U.S. plan, the negotiations will include disarming Hamas and the establishment of an internationally backed authority to run Gaza.

    Kassem reiterated that the group won’t be part of the ruling authority in a postwar Gaza. He called for the prompt establishment of a body of Palestinian technocrats to run day-to-day affairs.

    For now, “government agencies in Gaza continue to perform their duties, as the vacuum is very dangerous, and this will continue until an administrative committee is formed and agreed upon by all Palestinian factions,” he said.

    Rafah border crossing

    The Rafah crossing was the only one not controlled by Israel before the war. It has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the Gaza side. A fully reopened crossing would make it easier for Palestinians to seek medical treatment, travel or visit family in Egypt, home to tens of thousands of Palestinians.

    On Sunday, the Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry in Ramallah announced procedures for Palestinians wishing to leave or enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing. For those who want to leave Gaza, Palestinian Embassy staff from Cairo will be at the crossing to issue temporary travel documents that allow entry into Egypt. Palestinians who wish to enter Gaza will need to apply at the embassy.

    The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed them without providing its own toll.

    Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross.

    Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the attack that sparked the war.

    ___

    Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.

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  • Iowa community rallies to bring Halloween early for boy with rare cancer

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    KCCI EIGHT NEWS AT TEN. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF IOWA. AWESOME. A BONDURANT NEIGHBORHOOD CAME TOGETHER TO HELP A THREE YEAR OLD WITH CANCER CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN. A BIT EARLY. YOU’RE GOING TO SEE THE LITTLE MAN RIGHT THERE. AND LOOK AT THAT SMILE ON HIS FACE. KCCI ABIGAIL CURTIN SPOKE WITH HIS PARENTS TO LEARN HOW ALL THE SUPPORT IS HELPING HIM THROUGH TREATMENT. GRIFFIN CELLARS IS KNOWN AS A GIGGLE MONSTER. AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT HIS PARENTS, ASHLEY AND KENNY CELLARS, CALL HIM. BUT SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE FOUR, PINEOBLASTOMA, A RARE FORM OF BRAIN CANCER EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT’S BEEN HARD TO KEEP A SMILE ON HIS FACE. THE HIGH DOSE CHEMO IS HARD. VERY HARD ON THE BODY. YOU KNOW, YOU THEIR KIDS GET CHEMICAL BURNS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THEIR BODY. HE’S GOT BURNS IN HIS THROAT. HE DOESN’T EAT. HE’S LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT. PUKING ALL THE TIME. NORMALLY, THEY SAY THEY TAKE HIM TRICK OR TREATING FOR HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY TO BOOST HIS SPIRITS. BUT BEING SO SICK MEANS PARTICIPATING ON HALLOWEEN WASN’T REALLY A POSSIBILITY FOR GRIFFIN. SO HIS PARENTS TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA WITH A PLAN IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD FACEBOOK PAGE. THEY ASKED SOME OF THEIR NEIGHBORS TO GATHER AND HAND OUT CANDY, ALLOWING GRIFFIN TO GET A TASTE OF HALLOWEEN MAGIC HE NEEDED, AND THEY DELIVERED. DRESSING IN COSTUMES AND HANDING OUT CANDY. WEEKS OUT FROM THE ACTUAL HOLIDAY, ALL THE NEIGHBORS WE SPOKE WITH SAID HELPING OUT WAS AN EASY CHOICE. IT’S GOOD TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, AND THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US, EVEN ONES FROM THE NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD OVER. NONE OF US KNOW WHEN OUR LAST DAY IS, BUT YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE EVERY DAY FOR HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIAL. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS PICTURE, GRIFFIN MADE OUT LIKE A BANDIT. BUT HIS PARENTS SAY WHILE THE CANDY IS GREAT, THE BEST PART IS SEEING HIS SPARKLE COME BACK IN. BONDURANT ABIGAIL CURTIN, KCCI EIGHT NEWS. IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. NOW WE’RE THINKING ABOUT YOU AND SENDING HEALING WISHES YOUR WAY. GRIFFIN. A PART OF THE FAMILY’S STRUGGLE IS THE FACT THAT BECAUSE GRIFFIN’S CANCER IS SO RARE, THE TREATMENTS FOR IT ARE INCREDIBLY LIMITED. BUT THAT’S WHY THEY’RE HOPING TO RAISE AWARENESS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP, CHECK O

    Iowa community rallies to bring Halloween early for boy with rare cancer

    Updated: 10:22 AM PDT Oct 19, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Gryffin Sellers is known as a giggle monster. At least, that’s what his parents, Ashley and Kenny Sellers, call him. But since being diagnosed with stage 4 pineoblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in April, they say it’s been hard to keep a smile on his face.”High-dose chemo is hard. Very hard on the body,” Ashley said. “The kids get chemical burns inside, outside their body. He’s got burns in his throat, he doesn’t eat, he’s lost a lot of weight puking all the time.”Normally, she says, they’d take him trick-or-treating to help raise his spirits on his favorite holiday. But because he’s so sick and his treatment has taken such a toll on the 3-year-old’s body, his parents put out a plea on social media, asking their Bondurant neighbors to come together and pass out candy weeks before the actual holiday.Dozens of families delivered.”It’s just good to be part of the community and take care of each other,” Jeffery Conroy, the Sellers’ neighbor, said. “They’re always there for us.” Even neighbors several streets over, like Beth Rodas, took part.”None of us know when our last day is, but you just want to make every day for him a little bit more special,” she said.Gryffin’s parents say he made out like a bandit, collecting so much candy that they plan to give some of it to his nurses. But the best part is easily seeing his sparkle come back.”I feel like his spirit is kind of back because now he’s in the mindset of, I got all this candy to eat, so I need to go do treatment and get home so I can eat my candy,” Ashley said. Gryffin still has a few more rounds of high-dose chemo left, but beyond that, Ashley says there isn’t much else doctors can do. Pineoblastoma is so rare that it makes up less than 0.2% of brain tumors diagnosed in the country, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Because it’s so rare, there isn’t much research devoted to it, leaving families like Gryffin’s seeking older treatments. “His treatment plan is from 2003 for a cancer that’s not even his,” Ashley said. “That’s over 20 years old with no new research, no changes, no nothing.” Even harder, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, which leads many of the early clinical trials used to treat rarer tumors like Gryffin’s, is losing funding next year. That’s why Ashley and Kenny hope to raise awareness about the cancer in the first place: so that families in the future won’t have to rely on imperfect treatments.For more information on Gryffin’s story and to donate to help the family, click here.

    Gryffin Sellers is known as a giggle monster.

    At least, that’s what his parents, Ashley and Kenny Sellers, call him.

    But since being diagnosed with stage 4 pineoblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in April, they say it’s been hard to keep a smile on his face.

    “High-dose chemo is hard. Very hard on the body,” Ashley said. “The kids get chemical burns inside, outside their body. He’s got burns in his throat, he doesn’t eat, he’s lost a lot of weight puking all the time.”

    Normally, she says, they’d take him trick-or-treating to help raise his spirits on his favorite holiday. But because he’s so sick and his treatment has taken such a toll on the 3-year-old’s body, his parents put out a plea on social media, asking their Bondurant neighbors to come together and pass out candy weeks before the actual holiday.

    Dozens of families delivered.

    “It’s just good to be part of the community and take care of each other,” Jeffery Conroy, the Sellers’ neighbor, said. “They’re always there for us.”

    Even neighbors several streets over, like Beth Rodas, took part.

    “None of us know when our last day is, but you just want to make every day for him a little bit more special,” she said.

    Gryffin’s parents say he made out like a bandit, collecting so much candy that they plan to give some of it to his nurses.

    But the best part is easily seeing his sparkle come back.

    “I feel like his spirit is kind of back because now he’s in the mindset of, I got all this candy to eat, so I need to go do treatment and get home so I can eat my candy,” Ashley said.

    Gryffin still has a few more rounds of high-dose chemo left, but beyond that, Ashley says there isn’t much else doctors can do.

    Pineoblastoma is so rare that it makes up less than 0.2% of brain tumors diagnosed in the country, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Because it’s so rare, there isn’t much research devoted to it, leaving families like Gryffin’s seeking older treatments.

    “His treatment plan is from 2003 for a cancer that’s not even his,” Ashley said. “That’s over 20 years old with no new research, no changes, no nothing.”

    Even harder, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, which leads many of the early clinical trials used to treat rarer tumors like Gryffin’s, is losing funding next year.

    That’s why Ashley and Kenny hope to raise awareness about the cancer in the first place: so that families in the future won’t have to rely on imperfect treatments.

    For more information on Gryffin’s story and to donate to help the family, click here.

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