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It is with the heaviest heart that we share the sudden and devastating loss of Brandon Merrits, who passed away unexpectedly on June 18th. His passing has left his fiancée Danielle, their children, and their entire family heartbroken.

Brandon was not only the love of Danielle’s life he was a devoted father, a hard worker, and a man who deeply loved his family. He poured his heart into providing for his fiancée and their two beautiful daughters, Halston and Leighton. The couple was also joyfully expecting a third baby girl in just a few months. Brandon was excited for their growing family and had been planning for their future with love and dedication.

His sudden passing has left a deep void. Danielle is now facing a future she never imagined raising their children alone, all while preparing to bring their newborn into the world. In addition to the emotional pain, there is a great deal of financial stress that comes with funeral expenses, daily living needs, and the care of three young children.

Now more than ever, Danielle needs support. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or a donation, every bit of compassion counts. This is a time to come together as a community, to show love and solidarity for a young family facing the unimaginable.

Please keep Danielle, her daughters, and their unborn child in your thoughts and prayers. Brandon’s memory will live on in the love he gave and the family he helped build. May he rest in peace, and may those he leaves behind find strength and comfort in the days ahead.

The Rippey, Iowa community is mourning the loss of Heather Lansman, who passed away in a tragic accident on Wednesday afternoon.

Heather was using a riding lawnmower when the ground near a creek gave way. The mower rolled, and she was trapped underneath in the water. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 44 years old.

Heather was the wife of Dean Lansman, who was recently named principal of Carroll Middle School. Those who knew her say she was kind, supportive, and always had a smile for others. She was known for her warm heart and love for her family and friends.

Her passing is a heartbreaking loss for everyone who knew her  especially her family, neighbors, and the school communities she touched.

At this time, funeral arrangements have not yet been shared, but the community is rallying around the Lansman family with love, support, and prayers.

Heather will be deeply missed. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her kindness, and the joy she brought to those around her.

This morning at Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines, family, friends, and hospital staff gathered in a deeply moving tribute to honor the life of Lily Montalvo, a young woman remembered for her joyful spirit and unforgettable presence.

Shortly after 7:30 a.m., Lily was wheeled through the hospital’s first-floor hallway in what is often referred to as an “honor walk.” Dozens of loved ones and medical professionals stood quietly along the corridor, reflecting on Lily’s life and offering their silent support. Among those present was Junior, Lily’s beloved dog, who remained faithfully by her side.

Lily’s family made the courageous and generous decision to donate her organs a final act of compassion that reflects the kind of person she was. Through this selfless choice, Lily’s life will continue to touch others in need.

Those who knew Lily speak of her vibrant personality and infectious sense of humor. She was known for her love of playful makeup and for making people smile with her lighthearted antics including her signature drawn-on moustaches.

“She was really silly,” said her best friend, Yanessia Montes. “She always had a smile on her face.”

Yanessia’s mother added,

“She was always so positive and funny. She lit up the room. I always knew when she was in the house.”

Lily was set to begin her sophomore year at Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School this fall. Her passing is a profound loss not only for her family and friends but also for the broader Hampton community who cherished her light and laughter.

As we remember Lily, we also celebrate the meaningful way she lived bringing joy to those around her, staying true to herself, and leaving behind a legacy of kindness and generosity.

Our deepest condolences go out to her loved ones. May her memory continue to inspire those who knew her, and may her final gift bring hope and healing to others.

The fitness community is mourning the devastating loss of Amy Mendez, also known by her full name Zunilda Hoyos Mendez. Amy, a well-known figure in the bodybuilding world and social media personality, tragically passed away in Fuengirola, Spain, in what authorities have confirmed as a domestic violence incident.

According to reports, Amy was murdered by her husband, who then took his own life in a suspected murder-suicide. The details surrounding the case are deeply personal and heartbreaking. A message, allegedly posted by her husband on Amy’s Instagram account, claimed long-standing issues in their relationship, including financial disputes and personal struggles.

While the post shared disturbing and private accusations, the confirmed fact remains: Amy was killed in a brutal domestic attack involving blunt force trauma. Spanish authorities have not released all details publicly, but news outlets and social media tributes have identified the victim as Zunilda Hoyos Mendez.

Amy was widely admired under her Instagram handle @amymendez1312, where she inspired thousands through her dedication to fitness, strength training, and self-discipline. Her confidence, resilience, and transparency about her journey encouraged many women to pursue their own health and strength goals.

The platform Amazonian Beauties (@amazonianbeaut3), which highlights women in bodybuilding and strength sports, was among the first to publicly acknowledge her death, posting:

“Woke up to the news that Amy Mendez (Zunilda Hoyos Mendez) passed away.”

Since then, messages of shock and sadness have poured in from fans, athletes, and friends around the world. Many are remembering Amy not just for her physical strength, but for the emotional courage she showed in living authentically.

With deep sorrow, the Czerw family has announced the passing of John Czerw, the heart and soul behind Czerw’s Kielbasa in Port Richmond, Philadelphia. John was more than a business owner he was a beloved neighbor, a kind friend, and a pillar of his community.

For decades, John carried on his family’s proud tradition of making authentic Polish kielbasa, leading the third generation of this iconic local smokehouse. Under his care, Czerw’s became more than just a shop it became a symbol of tradition, pride, and family for thousands across the city and beyond.

In a message shared on their Facebook page, the Czerw family wrote:

“With heavy hearts the Czerw Family would like to announce the passing of John Czerw. John was the heart and soul of Czerw’s and a friend to everyone he came across. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”

John’s warmth, generosity, and dedication to both his craft and community will never be forgotten. From long lines during Easter season to everyday smiles in the shop, his presence touched many.

Our thoughts are with the Czerw family, their team, and all who knew and loved John.

May he rest in peace.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Loren Ruch, a well-known and much-loved leader at HGTV. Loren passed away on June 12, 2025, at the age of 55 after a brave fight with acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

Loren had been part of the HGTV family since 2008. He worked behind the scenes on many popular shows and later became the head of content for the network. His creativity and passion helped shape some of HGTV’s biggest hits including HGTV Dream Home, White House Christmas, A Very Brady Renovation, and Celebrity IOU. He also cohosted the fun and lighthearted series House Party where his warmth and humor truly shined.

What made Loren special was not just his talent but also his heart. He was known as a kind and caring leader who made people feel seen, heard, and supported. Many of his friends and coworkers described him as the glue that held everything together. His positive energy and encouragement lifted everyone around him.

Loren is survived by his husband of 21 years David Salas along with his parents and brother. Just a week before he passed Loren and David celebrated their anniversary, another reminder of the love and joy Loren brought to those closest to him.

Tributes from across the HGTV community have poured in. Hosts and stars like Christina Hall, Bobby Berk, and Jasmine Roth all shared memories and messages of love describing Loren as a bright light in both work and life.

Loren Ruch may be gone but his influence will live on through the shows he helped create and the people he inspired. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness, creativity, and connection.

Rest in peace Loren. You will be missed.

The fitness community is mourning the loss of Amy Mendez, also known by her full name Zunilda Hoyos Mendez, following reports of her passing shared on social media.

Amy was best known online through her handle @amymendez1312, where she regularly posted about fitness, wellness, and strength. Her presence was bold, empowering, and deeply influential within the bodybuilding and physique space. With each post, Amy embodied confidence, discipline, and authenticity—earning admiration from fans and peers alike.

The news was first acknowledged publicly by Amazonian Beauties (@amazonianbeaut3), a platform that celebrates women in strength sports and physique competition. In a solemn message, they wrote:

“Woke up to the news that Amy Mendez (Zunilda Hoyos Mendez) passed away.”

 Tributes are pouring in from followers, fellow athletes, and organizations that had followed Amy’s journey and celebrated her accomplishments.

Apparently her husband had seized her account and wrote this:

For the past 20 weeks, Amy has been training for a bodybuilding competition and has been on a heavy steroid cycle. Her Coach has her taking many steroids including trenbolone(no female should ever take trenbolone) and I told him not to give this to her as it will make her very crazy. And it did. The last weeks she has become even more aggressive and mentally abusive, even smashing a door in our apartment. This is with me, she is a completely different and nice person to everyone else. So how did we get here…4 years ago we got back together after a bad breakup which was all my fault. One of her conditions of getting back together was that she wanted control over all our finances, I gave in and transferred ALL my money to her, 2.7 million dollars of crypto. She is obviously very successful, earning 1 million dollars a year from fan pages. I told her she didn’t need to do the fan pages because we have money, but she loved the attention. During the last 4 years I was not allowed to have access to our money and had to ask her permission for anything I purchased. She has used this as a control over me. She has used heavy steroids for the last 4 years and I believe this with lots of money, attention, and lots of fan page fame has changed her into a controlling aggressive person towards me. She has now asked for a divorce and told me that under Colombian Law(we were married in Colombia), that she keeps everything including my money, because everything is in her name.

Amy was more than a competitor she was a role model for strength, self-expression, and perseverance. Her impact extended beyond the stage, inspiring many women to embrace their own power and pursue goals without hesitation.

As we await further information, we offer our deepest condolences to her loved ones, supporters, and everyone who had the privilege of crossing paths with her online or in person.

Amy Mendez’s legacy lives on through the strength she shared and the lives she touched.

This week, we are saddened to hear about the passing of David Hekili Kenui Bell. While some people may have only recently seen him in Disney’s new Lilo & Stitch live-action film, those in Hawaii and the entertainment world knew him as so much more.

David passed away on June 12, 2025, at the age of 46. The cause of death is still being investigated, but police have said there’s no sign of foul play. His sudden death came just weeks after his appearance as the loveable “Shave Ice Guy” in the Lilo & Stitch movie, a role that made him a fan favorite even in a short amount of screen time.

But David wasn’t just an actor. He was a big part of Hawaiian life. He had roles in local shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., and he was even the voice you heard over the speakers at Kona Airport. Many people also knew him from Kona Brewing Company, where he worked and welcomed guests with his kind heart and huge smile.

His sister shared a touching message online, describing him as generous, funny, sweet, and deeply spiritual. And Disney itself posted a tribute, calling him a true friend and part of their Lilo & Stitch family.

What strikes me most is how many people called him a “gentle giant.” That phrase came up again and again from friends, co-workers, and fans. It’s clear he left a lasting impression on everyone he met through his talent, his warmth, and his aloha spirit.

Though his time was cut short, David Hekili Kenui Bell touched many lives. He reminded us that kindness and joy can leave just as big an impact as fame. He may be gone, but the love people feel for him continues to ripple out.

Rest in peace, David. You will be missed.

Remembering Comedian Cal Wilson: A Bright Light Gone Too Soon

On October 11, 2023, the world lost Cal Wilson, a beloved comedian, writer, and TV host. She was just 53 years old when she passed away in a hospital in Sydney, Australia. Her death came as a shock to many, as few knew how sick she had become.

A Sudden Illness

Cal had been unwell for only a few weeks before her passing. What started as back pain soon became more serious, and she was admitted to the hospital. Doctors later discovered that she was suffering from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Sadly, the disease had progressed too far for treatment to help.

Throughout her illness, Cal kept things private. Only her close friends and family knew what she was going through. Even while in the hospital, she remained hopeful and surrounded by love.

A Life of Laughter and Kindness

Cal Wilson was known for her quick wit, warm personality, and big heart. Born in New Zealand, she built a successful career in both New Zealand and Australia, becoming a familiar face on shows like Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, and The Great Australian Bake Off.

More than just funny, Cal was someone who lifted people up. Fellow comedians and fans described her as kind, generous, and full of joy. She made people feel welcome, both on stage and off.

A Legacy That Lives On

Cal is survived by her husband, Chris, and their young son, Digby. Her family has shared how deeply they feel her loss and how thankful they are for the love and support from the public.

Though her time was short, Cal Wilson made a big impact. She brought laughter into people’s lives and inspired many with her kindness and creativity. Her legacy will live on through her work, her words, and the memories she leaves behind.

Rest in peace, Cal. Thank you for the joy.