Billie Eilish responds to tragedy involving teens killed in crash while heading to her concert: ‘Sending so much love’
Billie Eilish offered her heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of two concertgoers from Missouri who died during a police pursuit involving a man suspected of kidnapping a baby and its mother.
Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, both 18 years old and from Kearney, Missouri, were killed while en route to see Eilish perform in Omaha, Nebraska, as reported by a GoFundMe page created by Mckinley Yeates, who is Lucy Yeates’ cousin.
Mckinley Yeates described the tragic incident on the fundraising page, stating, “My beloved cousins and their friend were involved in a fatal accident while heading to Omaha for Billie Eilish’s concert. Unfortunately, Kole and Lucy didn’t survive.”
Additionally, Lucy Yeates’ 18-year-old sister, Aubrey, was injured in the crash and is currently hospitalized after undergoing significant medical treatment, as indicated by the GoFundMe, which has gathered over $17,110 in donations.
Eilish became aware of the tragic news through an Instagram fan account, @billieeilishtours, which had shared the GoFundMe link. The singer, known for her song “bad guy,” commented on the post: “Sending so much love to the families. It’s so heartbreaking.”
On the evening of the incident, Eilish performed at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha.
What transpired involving the Kearney teenagers?
The incident began when the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office in southwest Iowa received a report around 6 a.m. on Sunday regarding a woman hospitalized following a domestic assault. The victim stated that she had been kidnapped along with her 1-year-old baby by an acquaintance, who was reportedly “suicidal and homicidal.”
Deputies from Fremont County and Iowa State Patrol troopers initiated a chase after the suspect, who was driving a 2023 Kia Sorento with the baby inside. The pursuit crossed over into Missouri.
Shortly after entering Missouri, the Kia collided with a 2013 Ford Focus on Interstate 29, which then caused a secondary accident involving a Volvo semi-truck and a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a deputy from Fremont County, as stated by the sheriff’s office. Unfortunately, the alleged kidnapper, along with Lucy Yeates and Kole Cunningham, lost their lives in the incident, according to KMBC-TV and local law enforcement.
The 1-year-old infant was rescued from the burning Kia and transported by helicopter to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, with injuries that are not life-threatening, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
The identity of the deceased alleged kidnapper has not been disclosed by authorities.
Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue expresses condolences
Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue also extended his sympathies to Lucy Yeates’ and Kole Cunningham’s families, mentioning that their tragic deaths have impacted the community deeply.
“In these difficult moments, I want to express my sincerest condolences to the Cunningham and Yeates families,” Pogue stated in a Monday Facebook post. “I hope courage and hope accompany the families, friends, and all who grieve. I am praying for all of you,” he added.
The Kearney School District informed KMBC News that both Yeates and Cunningham were graduates of the class of 2024 and were no longer students.
“The Kearney High School staff is aware of this tragic event and counselors are available to provide support as necessary,” the district mentioned in a statement to the Kansas City, Missouri-based TV station.