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Who were the victims at Astroworld? Fans as young as 14 lost lives in tragic stampede

'This pain is something no one should be going through,' a friend of Franco Patino wrote while mourning his death

Travis Scott’s much-awaited Astroworld Festival began on November 5 at NRG Park in Houston, Texas, amid much excitement and fan frenzy. But the electrifying energy soon turned into tragedy as the crowd went berserk right at the entry gates. A stampede ensued and the chaos heightened so much that eight people lost their lives. The organizers of Astroworld Fest also released a statement mourning the tragic deaths. "Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight — Especially those we lost and their loved ones. We are focused on supporting local officials however we can. With that in mind, the festival will no longer be held on Saturday," the organizers stated.

Travis Scott himself addressed the issue much later, describing it as 'devastating'. According to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the ages of the victims have been ascertained so far as 14, 16, 21, 21, 23, 23, and 27 years, while the age of the eighth victim is yet to be found. As many as six victims have been identified so far, with their families and friends grieving their tragic deaths on social media. The list of victims includes 14-year-old John Hilgert, a Memorial High School freshman who happened to be the youngest person to lose life at the Astroworld stampede. Other victims identified so far include Brianna Rodriguez, Franco Patino, Rudy Peña, Jorge Perez, and Jacob Jurinek. Details about each of them have been shared below. 

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John Hilgert

A ninth-grade student from Houston's Memorial High School, John Hilgert was good in academics as well as athletics. Mourning his tragic death, the school put up green ribbons around their campus in memory of John, as green was his favorite color. 

One of his friends posted on Twitter, "One of my friends John Hilgert passed away last night at the ASTROFEST. He was one of the nicest kids I knew and always made people laugh. He was trampled last night and people walked on him like a doormat. He was a freshman at MHS. May John live in heaven and one day I’ll cu"

Danish Baig

 27-year-old Danish Baig is said to have died after trying to save a relative during the stampede at the tragic event, his brother Basil Baig confirmed on social media. 

"My brother was killed in this horrendous Astroworld event that was managed poorly and supervised by such horrible people," Basil wrote on Facebook. "My brother tried to save my sister-in-law from these horrendous acts that were being done to her in the process he lost his life," he continued. "My brother Danish Baig [is] a beautiful soul whose smile would light up the room and put everyone before himself. Last night he showed his courageous act to save my sister-in-law from those horrendous things that were being done." 

Brianna Rodriguez

Brianna Rodriguez was a 16-year-old high school junior from Heights High School in Houston, Texas. According to a GoFundMe page started by her family, "Dancing was her passion and now she’s dancing her way to heaven’s pearly gates."

"Gone from our sites, but never from our hearts. It is with profound sadness we lay to rest our beloved Brianna Rodriguez," the post mourned. So far, $7,613 has been raised for her funeral expenses out of the $30,000 goal. 

Franco Patino and Jacob Jurinek

Franco Patino, 21, was a native of Naperville and a graduate of Neuqua Valley High School. He attended the Astroworld Fest with his best friend Jacob Jurinek to celebrate the latter's birthday. Unfortunately, both of them lost their lives in the stampede. Amid the chaos and commotion, another attendee tried to save them by administering CPR but they did not survive in the end.

Franco's brother Cesar Patino shared on Twitter, "I finally found the guy that helped my brother by giving him CPR to resurrect him. Thank you all for making that happen remember his name. Franco Patino and Jacob Jurinek #ASTROWORLDFest #AstroWorld #Travis I wouldn’t have made that happen with ur amazing support"

"RIP Franco patino and Jacob jurinek. Two of the most incredibly nicest kids I’ve ever met. Rest in peace and god bless the families," another person mourned.

Franco's close friend Rachel Ferr offered their condolences to Cesar Patino and shared a photo of Franco and Jacob together. "Cesar, I am so sorry. Franco was a close friend. I’m devastated for him, for you and your family, for Jacob as well. This pain is something no one should be going through. Here’s a picture I took of the boys a few years ago. Sending love," she wrote.

Rudy Peña

Rudy Peña was a student of Laredo College in Texas. A 2018 graduate of Nixon High School, Peña was a star athlete who played football. His tragic death was mourned by his cousin Kimberly Escamilla in a Facebook post. "Rip to my cousin you will be missed i can't believe this happened to u at the astros concert.   you we're always smiling and so nice!! And So handsome!  I love you!!" she wrote. 

Axel Acosta

Axel Acosta, a 21-year-old student of Western Washington University, has been identified by his father as the seventh victim of the Astroworld stampede. The Yakima native was mourned by his brother Angel Acosta on social media. 

Madison Dubiski

23-year-old Madison Dubiski was another victim of the Astroworld tragedy. According to Twitter sources, she was a student at the University of Mississipi. She was working at Rhino Marketing Worldwide and had previously been employed with Houston Magazines.