Current:Home > MyDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -CapitalCourse
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:04:32
New details are emerging about Órla Baxendale's final moments.
The New York dancer, who died Jan. 11 at age 25, took precautions to prevent her death, according to her family attorney.
At a social gathering earlier this month, Baxendale went into anaphylactic shock due to a severe allergic reaction from eating a cookie that contained peanuts—although the label did not disclose the ingredient, her lawyer said.
"Because Orla was so vigilant and so careful with everything she touched, she actually Googled 'soy nut,' which is on the package," her attorney Marijo Adimey told ABC News, "wanting to make sure that a soy nut wasn't a nut." (Soy nuts are soybeans, not tree nuts.)
After she took a bite of Stew Leonard's Vanilla Florentine Cookie, Baxendale began having a reaction. Her friends rushed her to the hospital and used her EpiPen, per the outlet, but she sadly didn't make it.
Stew Leonard Jr.—the CEO of the supermarket chain that sold the desserts—said they were not informed that the supplier had changed the recipe from soy nuts to peanuts.
In response, the manufacturer Cookies United publicly shared a note the company allegedly sent out months prior, informing vendors they were adding peanuts as an ingredient in the holiday cookies.
"Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonard's was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly," Cookies United said in a Jan. 23 press release. "This product is sold under the Stew Leonard's brand and repackaged at their facilities. The incorrect label was created by, and applied to, their product by Stew Leonard's."
The supermarket recalled mislabeled cookies that had been sold from Nov. 6 to Dec. 31 at their stores in Danbury and Newington, Conn.
Baxendale's family has not spoken out about the incident, but have been communicating their grief through their lawyer.
"They're too distraught to speak," Adimey added. "They want this story out so it doesn't happen again."
Baxendale, a U.K. native, is being remembered by the dance community for her lively personality and talent for performing.
"For someone to leave us so young and so soon at the height of career is a tragedy," her dance instructor Guillermo Asca told ABC. "She was vibrant, dynamic, kooky, someone who didn't take herself seriously but took work seriously."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (7411)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- When is the next Powerball drawing? No winners, jackpot rises over $700 million
- Weather data from Pearl Harbor warships recovered to study climate science
- U.N. General Assembly opens with world in crisis — but only 1 of the 5 key world powers attending
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Rupert Murdoch Will Step Down as Chairman of Fox and News Corp.
- Minnesota approves giant solar energy project near Minneapolis
- How comic Leslie Jones went from funniest person on campus to 'SNL' star
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Maryland apologizes to man wrongly convicted of murder, agrees to pay $340,000 settlement: Long overdue
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Anne Hathaway Gets Real About the Pressure to Snap Back After Having a Baby
- Negligence lawsuit filed over Google Maps after man died driving off a collapsed bridge
- What's the matter with men? 'Real masculinity' should look to queer community, Gen Z.
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- In a first, Massachusetts to ban purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies
- Moose headbutts and stomps on woman who was walking her dog in Colorado
- Bob Ross' 1st painting from famed TV show up for auction. How much is it?
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Billy Miller, The Young and the Restless actor, dies at 43
Shakira Shares Insight Into Parenting After Breakup With Gerard Piqué
GoFundMe refunds donations to poker player who admits to lying about cancer for tournament buy-in
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Syria protests gain steam, challenging Bashar Assad as he tries to put the civil war behind him
Man who sold black rhino and white rhino horns to confidential source sentenced to 18 months in U.S. prison
Lionel Messi leaves with fatigue, Inter Miami routs Toronto FC to keep playoff hopes alive