New Orleans, La. (Audacy/WBEN) - We are beginning to learn more about the victims of Wednesday's terror attack on Bourbon Street in which 14 people were killed and 35 others were injured. The deceased include a Mississippi teen, a father from Baton Rouge, a Princeton alumnus from Lafayette, and a member of the WWL/Audacy family.
Here are the victims who have been identified:
Billy DiMaio, 25, Holmdel, New Jersey:
DiMaio was a New York-based account manager for Audacy who had recently been promoted to account executive on Audacy's national enterprise and direct response team. An alumnus of Chestnut Hill College, Billy was a standout lacrosse player at his alma mater. (Audacy is the parent company and owner of WBEN)
"He was much loved, respected and appreciated," Audacy CEO David Field said in a statement on Thursday. "Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness. He was a true asset to the Audacy team, and his contributions and presence will be deeply missed. It was clear to all that Billy had the talent and character to ensure a very bright future, and his sudden passing has left a profound void in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him."
Martin "Tiger" Bech, 27, Lafayette:
Bech, the brother of former LSU wide receiver Jack Bech, was a standout athlete himself, both at St. Thomas More Catholic High School and at Princeton University, from which he graduated in 2021. Bech was living in New York City and working as a stockbroker. According to sources at Princeton, Bech's college teammate, former Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Quigley, was with Bech at the time of the attack and is one of the victims still in the hospital.
"There was no more appropriate nickname of a Princeton player I coached," Princeton head football coach Bob Surace said. "He was a 'Tiger' in every way - a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend. Our last conversation was about how proud I was of the growth he showed during his time at Princeton and the success he was having after graduation. My love goes to the entire Bech family."
Matthew Tenedorio, 25, Slidell:
Tenedorio, a native of New York State who grew up in both Slidell and in Mississippi, was an employee of the Superdome and the Smoothie King Center, working in the venues' video production department. He worked there alongside his father. Family members told our partners at NOLA.com that Tenedorio was "a joyful person."
Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, Marrero:
Gauthreaux was an alumnus of Archbishop Shaw High School. The school posted a tribute to Gauthreaux on their social media pages.
"We are asking the entire Archbishop Shaw family to pray for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family and friends during this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy," school officials wrote in a statement. Officials also asked members of the community to donate to a GoFundMe account to help support Gauthreaux's family.
Kareem Badawi, 18, Baton Rouge:
Badawi was a freshman at the University of Alabama. He graduated from Episcopal High School last spring. In a statement, University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell said that he "(grieves) alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss."
Drew Dauphin, 23, Montgomery, Alabama:
Auburn University announced Dauphin's death in a statement on their social media platforms. According to the Associated Press, Dauphin was a supplier process engineer at the American Honda Motor Company in Birmingham.
Reggie Hunter, 37, Baton Rouge:
Hunter was a father of two who was in the French Quarter to celebrate New Year's with his cousin. That cousin told our partners at NOLA.com that Hunter had just left work when the attack happened. His cousin was also struck and is in the hospital.
Nicole Perez, 27, Metairie:
Perez, a single mother of a four-year-old boy, was the manager at a local deli. Her boss told the Associated Press that Perez was as a hard-working woman who was trying to make life better for her family.
Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, Gulfport, Mississippi:
According to an Associated Press report, Dedeaux was an aspiring nurse who helped take care of her siblings. A friend who was with Dedeaux when the attack happened told the AP that the truck "flung her like at least 30 feet."
Related
Related
