Family Shock

We've just learned full details from Izzy's dad and stepmom about the recent death of one of stepmom's grandkids (so step-nephew of Izzy's.)

Jamie, whose mom was divorced/estranged from stepmom's eldest son and so whom we hadn't seen in a number of years, was a 29 year old young man with cerebral palsy. In the early hours of Sunday, July 13, he was at a party at his younger sister's home in San Angelo, TX, where a long-time family friend challenged him to arm wrestle. This was a frequent competition between these young men, and Jamie had defeated his friend on a number of occasions. According to the sister (and as passed along through several relatives before we got the story), the friend told Jamie that "this time I'm going to really clean your clock." Well, Jamie apparently got the better of the friend, in what would be his last competition. The friend, upset and not a little intoxicated, cold-cocked Jamie in the jaw.

From what we can gather, it appears that infection set in fairly quickly in his broken jaw. Jamie was taken to a hospital and had a fever over 103 by the time reconstructive surgery began. After surgery, per the Abilene paper's interview with his doctors, "he never woke up." He was removed from life support and died Wednesday, July 16.

Minimal obit here; he is the only Jamie on the page. (I've not copied his obit here, since we don't b.u.r.n.* here at the House of Chez Casa.)

The other young man involved in the incident has been arrested and charged with injuring a disabled person.

In a further insult, the girlfriend mentioned in the obituary is also in jail now for taking Jamie's checkbook and trying to clean out his bank account. Bad move in a small town like San Angelo, where bank tellers read the death notices.

Years ago, Izzy's stepmom lost a teenaged son to drowning. This is another tragedy for which no one can be prepared, and prayers for her and Izzy's dad would be appreciated.

One other thing: When googling for more news on Jamie, I found a blog whose owner posted Jamie's obit and the arrest story. I poked a bit and found a photo (the one above) and her tribute to Jamie. I also found her record of a brief chat with another female that just shows how horribly cruel some people can be when they think they have anonymity on their side. You would never write anything as cruel as what I found if you had to take responsibility for what you said.

Don't feel the need to poke ... and I'll not dignify the remarks with a re-post. It made me and the young lady to whom the remarks were directed both mad, which doubtless gives someone a bit of glee. To stay angry would be to give that person more time in my life than she deserves.

Rest in peace, Jamie.

*b.u.r.n. = blog under real names.