Current:Home > ContactDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -USAMarket
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:24:27
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! (2393)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Adele Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen's mother, dies at age 98
- Yankees in Mexico City: 'Historic' series vs. Diablos Rojos scheduled for spring training
- Lawyers for Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger seek change of trial venue, citing inflammatory publicity
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Shirtless Jason Kelce celebrating brother Travis gets Funko Pop treatment: How to get a figurine
- What is TAYLOR-CON? Taylor Swift's management group files trademark application
- The job market is strong. So why did layoffs double in January?
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Trump's political action committees spent nearly $50 million on legal bills in 2023, filings show
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Around the world: Michigan man speeds across globe in quest to break Guinness record
- Carl Weathers, Rocky and The Mandalorian Star, Dead at 76
- Half of US adults say Israel has gone too far in war in Gaza, AP-NORC poll shows
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Sam Waterston to step down on 'Law & Order' as District Attorney Jack McCoy
- Carl Weathers, linebacker-turned-actor who starred in ‘Rocky’ movies and ‘The Mandalorian,’ dies
- Civil rights activist, legendary radio host Joe Madison passes away at 74
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Kansas is poised to expand tax credit for helping disabled workers after debate over low pay
Winners and losers of 2024 NFL coaching moves: Which teams made out best?
Pregnant Sofia Richie Cradles Baby Bump During Red Carpet Appearance at Pre-Grammys Party
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Groundhog Day 2024 marks 10 years since Bill de Blasio dropped Staten Island Chuck
'Like it or not, we live in Oppenheimer's world,' says director Christopher Nolan
Subway footlong cookies: Loved so much by customers that chain can't keep up with demand