Just before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Jack Bech was on a phone call with his older brother Martin, known to friends and teammates as “Tiger”, who was an avid outdoorsman and former football star. Jack, 22, was visiting family in Dallas, while Tiger, a 28-year-old former Princeton alumnus living in New York, was in New Orleans to ring in the New Year.
In what seemed like a routine conversation, the brothers shared details of their celebrations. Little did they know that this would be their final conversation. Tragically, Tiger was one of the 14 victims killed when a man drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
The attacker, identified as 42-year-old army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was later killed in a gunfight with the police. Despite posting videos claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group, authorities believe he acted alone.
Among the victims was Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician at New Orleans’ Caesars’ Superdome. Despite warnings from his family about the potential dangers, Matthew ventured into New Orleans with friends. During the chaos, he was separated from his companions and tragically lost his life during the exchange of gunfire on Bourbon Street.
In the wake of this tragedy, Jack Bech remembers his brother as his best friend and inspiration. He emphasizes Tiger’s spirit of perseverance and urges his family to cherish his memory by living life to the fullest. The Bech family, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, faces the challenge of coping with their loss and the absence of a beloved family member at the table.
As they come to terms with their grief, Jack encourages his family to honor Tiger’s legacy by supporting each other and embracing life with courage and resilience. Matthew Tenedorio’s family also mourns the loss of a vibrant young man who was taken too soon, leaving behind a void that can never be filled.
The family is grappling with immense pain as their tragedy is exacerbated by the lack of communication from local authorities. “We couldn’t get any information when my aunt, Cathy, showed up at the hospital,” one family member shared. “There has been no information from doctors, hospitals, or cops. Nobody.” The absence of details has left them in the dark about the circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death. “They have zero information… We don’t even know what happened,” another family member expressed. “Was he carried out by the EMS? Was he in an ambulance? Did he die instantly?” Understanding these details, they believe, would aid in coming to terms with the devastating event. “But now it’s like total shock,” they added. “It’s not registering.”
In efforts to gather funds for the funeral expenses, the family has initiated a GoFundMe page given the financial strain caused by significant medical bills from the mother’s cancer treatment. Remembered fondly by his cousin as a “goofball” with a penchant for humor, a love for animals, and a talent for storytelling, the deceased was a cherished individual within his community. “He cared. He was definitely a people person. A happy-go-lucky guy,” the cousin reminisced. The tragic loss resulting from a senseless act of violence has left the family shattered. “It’s sad that a terrorist attack took him… no family should ever have to bury their son, especially for something so senseless,” they lamented.
Reflecting on the response from law enforcement amid the chaos of the situation, another family member, drawing from personal experience in working with authorities, highlighted the importance of providing closure through clear communication. “I know it’s chaotic. But part of closure is getting answers. It’d be nice to know a little bit more,” they emphasized. The desire for transparency and information is rooted in the fundamental need for understanding and acceptance in times of tragedy. As the family continues their search for answers, the focus remains on honoring the victims and their memories rather than scrutinizing the response of law enforcement or speculating on preventive measures.
In the wake of the New Orleans attack, where the assailant is believed to have acted alone, the community is uniting in mourning the lives lost. With an outpouring of support and solidarity, fans gathered at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans following the harrowing events of the New Year’s attack. As the investigation unfolds, the importance of remembering and honoring the victims is paramount. “I want every single one of them to be remembered,” one family member stressed. “They didn’t deserve this. No-one deserves this.” Amidst the tragedy, the resilience and unity of the community shine through, emphasizing the need for compassion and remembrance in the face of adversity.
