Current:Home > InvestDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -Blueprint Wealth Network
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
View
Date:2025-04-15 23:39:30
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! (3)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Man in central Illinois killed three people and wounded another before killing self, authorities say
- Snowball Express honors hundreds of families of fallen veterans
- EU releasing 5 billion euros to Poland by year’s end as new government works to restore rule of law
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Cambodia welcomes the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s plan to return looted antiquities
- Women and children first? Experts say that in most crises, it’s more like everyone for themselves
- Prince Harry’s phone hacking victory is a landmark in the long saga of British tabloid misconduct
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Prince Harry’s phone hacking victory is a landmark in the long saga of British tabloid misconduct
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- The Best Gifts for Fourth Wing Fans That Are Obsessed with the Book as Much as We Are
- 'Mayday': Small plane crashes onto North Carolina interstate; 2 people sent to hospital
- Mayim Bialik says she’s out as a host of TV quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- RFK Jr. faces steep hurdles and high costs to get on ballot in all 50 states
- Cold case now a murder investigation after body found in Texas lake 37 years ago identified
- A Georgia teacher is accused of threatening a student in a dispute over an Israeli flag
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Iran says it has executed an Israeli Mossad spy
Atlanta: Woman killed in I-20 crash with construction vehicle
A Thai senator linked to a Myanmar tycoon is indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Doping law leads to two more indictments, this time against coaches who used to be elite sprinters
Teen plotted with another person to shoot up, burn down Ohio synagogue, sheriff says
Women and children first? Experts say that in most crises, it’s more like everyone for themselves