Current:Home > MarketsDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -VitalEdge Finance
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
View
Date:2025-04-17 00:39:14
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! (7)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Russian disinformation is about immigration. The real aim is to undercut Ukraine aid
- Manatee stamps coming out to spread awareness about threatened species
- These Cute Swimsuits From Amazon Are All Under $40 & Will Have You Ready for a Beach Day
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Olympian Katie Ledecky is focused on Paris, but could 2028 Games also be in the picture?
- Manatee stamps coming out to spread awareness about threatened species
- Celebrated stylemaker and self-named 'geriatric starlet' Iris Apfel dies at age 102
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Shopping for parental benefits around the world
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Warby Parker offering free solar eclipse glasses ahead of 'celestial spectacle': How to get them
- CEO says Fanatics is 'getting the (expletive) kicked out of us' in MLB jersey controversy
- Davidson women's basketball team forfeits remainder of season because of injuries
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing, listening and reading
- New Giants manager Bob Melvin gets his man as team strikes deal with third baseman Matt Chapman
- The IRS is sending 125,000 compliance letters in campaign against wealthy tax cheats
Recommendation
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
A White House Advisor and Environmental Justice Activist Wants Immediate Help for Two Historically Black Communities in Alabama
Report from National Urban League finds continued economic disparities among Black Americans
Man being evicted shoots, kills Missouri police officer and process server, police say
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Ghana's parliament passes strict new anti-LGBTQ legislation to extend sentences and expand scope
Vanderpump Rules’ Brittany Cartwright Posts Cryptic Message on Power After Jax Taylor Separation
Firefighters face difficult weather conditions as they battle the largest wildfire in Texas history