Current:Home > InvestDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -MarketStream
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
Poinbank View
Date:2025-04-08 01:36:58
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! (174)
Related
- Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
- Days after Hurricane Helene, a powerless mess remains in the Southeast
- Streets of mud: Helene dashes small town's hopes in North Carolina
- Officials warned electric vehicles can catch fire in Helene flooding: What to know
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- All smiles, Prince Harry returns to the UK for children's charity event
- Montana rancher gets 6 months in prison for creating hybrid sheep for captive hunting
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals judge's denial of his release from jail on $50 million bond
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Opinion: Pete Rose knew the Baseball Hall of Fame question would surface when he died
Ranking
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- 7 Debate Questions about Climate Change and Energy for Pennsylvania’s Senate Candidates
- Man destroys autographed Taylor Swift guitar he won at charity auction
- CVS Health to lay off nearly 3,000 workers primarily in 'corporate' roles
- NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
- Naomi Campbell Addresses Rumored Feud With Rihanna
- Tennessee factory employees clung to semitruck before Helene floodwaters swept them away
- Kristin Cavallari Shares Glimpse Inside New Home After Mark Estes Breakup
Recommendation
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
Will anyone hit 74 homers? Even Aaron Judge thinks MLB season record is ‘a little untouchable’
Morgan Wallen donates $500K for Hurricane Helene relief
Katy Perry wears zippered bag dress to Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show
Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
Ken Page, voice of Oogie Boogie in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' dies at 70
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals judge's denial of his release from jail on $50 million bond
Pac-12 building college basketball profile with addition of Gonzaga