Current:Home > MarketsDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -TradeCircle
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:54:15
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! (8)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Man who pulled gun after Burger King worker wouldn’t take drugs for payment gets 143 years in prison
- Recalled cucumbers in salmonella outbreak sickened 449 people in 31 states, CDC reports
- Alaska State Troopers beat, stunned and used dog in violent arrest of wrong man, charges say
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Eugene Levy, Dan Levy set to co-host Primetime Emmy Awards as first father-son duo
- RCM Accelerates Global Expansion
- Ukraine’s swift push into the Kursk region shocked Russia and exposed its vulnerabilities
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Wrongful death suit against Disney serves as a warning to consumers when clicking ‘I agree’
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Disney wrongful death lawsuit over allergy highlights danger of fine print
- Fentanyl, meth trafficker gets 376-year prison sentence for Colorado drug crimes
- US arrests reputed Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 killings in his home country
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- ROKOS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD (RCM) Introduction
- Eugene Levy, Dan Levy set to co-host Primetime Emmy Awards as first father-son duo
- Looking to buy a home? You may now need to factor in the cost of your agent’s commission
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Michigan woman died after hiking Isle Royale National Park, officials say
Notre Dame suspends men's swimming team over gambling violations, troubling misconduct
Tribe and environmental groups urge Wisconsin officials to rule against relocating pipeline
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Kihn of rock and roll: Greg Kihn of ‘80s ‘Jeopardy’ song fame dies at 75
Thousands of Disaster Survivors Urge the Department of Justice to Investigate Fossil Fuel Companies for Climate Crimes
Michigan woman died after hiking Isle Royale National Park, officials say