Axel Acosta: Astroworld victim, 21, was attending such an event for 'first time’
The eighth victim to have died at the Astroworld festival stampede has been identified as Axel Acosta.. Axel’s father Edgar Acosta confirmed the 21-year-old’s identity whose remains were recovered from Memorial Hermann Hospital after the tragedy. However, the cause of death is not known yet.
Cynthia Acosta, Axel's aunt, said it was the young man’s “first time going to an event like that”. He went to Houston, Texas from Washington all alone to see Travis Scott’s performance at NRG Park. Axel celebrated his 21st birthday in October and was a student of computer science at Western Washington University.
READ MORE
Astroworld victims: Franco Patino was celebrating 21st birthday with pal Jake Jurinek — BOTH DIED
Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner 'walked past bodies' after Astroworld stampede: Witness
Western Washington University vice president of enrollment and student services Melynda Huskey said: “By all accounts, Axel was a young man with a vibrant future. We are sending our condolences to his family on this very sad day.” Earlier, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences released Axel's picture for identification. His father said that police made it difficult for him to file a missing report for his son because he was living in Washington.
This is my brother Axel but most know his as Antonio. He’s the “unidentifiable “ male from Astroworld fest & we are trying to put together the pieces for our family & our loss but this is draining and unbelievable. I’m still at a loss for words and need to get to Houston to him. pic.twitter.com/edZasjcYew
— Angel Acosta (@AngeloAcosta_) November 7, 2021
The other seven victims of the stampede were identified as John Hilgert, Brianna Rodriguez, Franco Patino, Rudy Peña, Jorge Perez, Jacob Jurinek, and Madison Dubiski.
Franco Patino and Jake Jurinek were childhood friends. The former was celebrating his 21st birthday on Friday, November 4, with his high school friend, but they both died in the chaos. Franco was studying mechanical engineering at the University of Dayton and his friend was pursuing art and media at Southern Illinois University. Both have attended Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois, before going to their respective Universities.
Speaking after Franco’s death, his father Julio Patino said: “I’m in shock, I’m angry, I’m all of the above right now. I’ve seen the images when people started coming in [to the event]. It was already overcrowded. When they could not control the crowd, when they knew the crowd would become so rowdy, the owner should have stopped it right then. They could have done something before it got to the point of no return.”
Jake’s family also released a statement and said he’s “beloved by his family and by his seemingly countless number of friends for his contagious enthusiasm, his boundless energy, and his unwavering positive attitude.” His devastated father added: “It’s a terrible loss, he was great kid.”
Meanwhile, after facing backlash, Kylie Jenner who was at the event released a statement that read, “Travis and I are broken and devastated. My thoughts and prayers are with all who lost their lives, were injured or affected in anyway by yesterday’s events. I want to make it clear we weren’t aware of any fatalities until the news came out after the show and in no world would have continued filming or performing.”
Scott also issued a statement saying, “I am absolutely devastated by what took place last night. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into this tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need. Thank you to Houston PD, Fire Department and the NRG Park for their immediate response and support.”
