Latest news with #Concord-CarlisleHighSchool
USA Today
06-05-2025
- USA Today
GoFundMe removes fake campaign after fraudulent fundraiser exploits grieving community
GoFundMe removes fake campaign after fraudulent fundraiser exploits grieving community Show Caption Hide Caption Americans reported losing $470M to text scams In 2024, Americans reported losing $470 million to scams that started with text messages, according to new data from the Federal Trade Commission. Scripps News A fraudulent GoFundMe account claiming to raise money for one of three fatal car crash victims from Concord-Carlisle High School has been shut down. More than $5,700 was raised before GoFundMe officials removed the fraudulent page and refunded all donors. Concord Police are working with GoFundMe to track down whoever is responsible. Those who donated to a fraudulent GoFundMe account that was created to make them believe they were helping the family of one of three Concord-Carlisle High School students killed in a crash in Florida have been refunded, a company spokesperson told the MetroWest Daily News. The fundraiser in the name of Hannah Wasserman, 18, had raised more than $5,700 before it was taken down, a GoFundMe spokesperson said via email. 'Our hearts go out to the community after this tragedy,' the spokesperson wrote. 'At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the platform for any fundraisers related to this incident.' Wasserman, along with classmates Jimmy McIntosh and Maisey O'Donnell, all 18, died from injuries suffered in a crash on Monday, April 21, on Highway 98 in the Florida Panhandle. A fourth student suffered critical injuries. In case you missed it: Scammers are posing as toll collection services. How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. A day later, a GoFundMe account with the title 'Help cover funeral costs for Hannah Wasserman,' was created, and it sought $10,000. The GoFundMe used the name of another Concord-Carlisle student whose mother said did not create the fundraiser. 'We became aware tonight that the following GoFundMe has been posted under Rex's name 'in support' of the Wasserman family after their tragedy,' Jayme Kennedy Riessen said in a Facebook post last month. 'Rex did not start this fundraiser, we do not know who did, and have reported it. Please do not donate as this is not a verified effort.' Riessen didn't respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook Messenger. Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating. 'It's kind of disgusting, really, to try to take advantage of people in their darkest hour,' he said. 'It was a fake account.' Goldman said it's not easy to spot a fake GoFundMe, particularly due to the prevalence of people starting them in the wake of fires, accidents or other tragedies. 'They're posted all of the time and people take it at face value that it's going to the people it is supposed to,' he said. Goldman said GoFundMe fundraisers, as with any fundraiser, should be looked at with scrutiny. He suggested that those interested in donating should try to contact the subjects of the fundraiser, or someone close to them, to confirm its authenticity. 'Those are tricky because a lot of times friends and family set things up,' said Goldman. 'Don't take it from one source. It's always good to trust and verify. Check with the original source.' The GoFundMe spokesperson said such incidents are 'very rare,' but when they do happen, a full refund is guaranteed through the company's 'GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.' In this instance, the spokesperson said once the company was notified that the fundraiser may be fake, the company reached out to the creator of the page. The money had not been dispersed and was held by payment processors during the review of the page. 'As our Trust & Safety team did not receive a response to our outreach, all donors have been refunded and the fundraiser removed,' the spokesperson explained. Investigators trying to track down the scammer Goldman said Concord Police investigators are working with GoFundMe to investigate the fake fundraiser. He said banking information and other identifying information typically has to be shared with GoFundMe, so they will be seeking that information to see if they can track down those responsible. 'After we get the records, we kind of go on a hunting trail to track where the money was going to go,' he said. The fatal crash remains under investigation, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@ For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. teen killed in crash was an 'undefeated' athlete, giving and kind to others
Maisey O'Donnell, one of three Concord-Carlisle High School seniors who died in a crash in Florida, was remembered as a gifted athlete, an honors student and led by example, her family said in her obituary. At around 9:28 p.m. on April 21, James McIntosh, Hannah Wasserman, O'Donnell and a third teenage girl were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The SUV crossed the median and the highway's eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. Wasserman and McIntosh died, while O'Donnell later died at the hospital, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter said in a statement obtained by WCVB-TV. The third teenage girl was last reported in critical condition. Born Catherine Mason O'Donnell on Oct. 16, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee, she was raised in Concord, her family wrote. As a student, she was a two-time Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I State Diving champion, 'undefeated in her junior and senior seasons,' her family continued. 'She was the three-time North Sectionals Champion and Dual County League Champion and a four-year varsity letter winner,' her obituary read. 'In club diving, as a four-year member of Boston Area Diving, she earned [Amateur Athletic Union] All-American honors her junior year and competed at USA Diving Nationals and Red, White, and Blue Nationals.' O'Donnell was an honors student and a member of the National Honor Society and a National Merit Commended Scholar, her family wrote. She planned to attend Williams College and 'was eagerly looking forward to diving for the Ephs.' 'Maisey was beautiful, inside and out,' her family wrote. 'She was humble, ethical, and highly intelligent. She could perform under pressure and rise to the occasion. She was a tremendous friend, sister, and daughter. She was giving and kind, especially with the many younger divers in the diving community.' With other divers, she led by example and celebrated others, her family wrote. O'Donnell was a fan of Taylor Swift, loved Crumbl cookies 'and her daily iced coffee,' the obituary read. 'She made sure her hair was done, regardless of how little she had slept,' her family wrote. 'She was a self-described optimist.' O'Donnell is survived by her parents, Elizabeth O'Donnell and Christoph O'Donnell; her sister Emery 'Emmy' C. O'Donnell; her great-grandfather Thomas L.P. O'Donnell Sr. of Hingham; her grandparents R. Keating Hagmann and Ann R. Hagmann of Cos Cob, Connecticut; her aunts Caroline R. Hagmann of Stamford, Connecticut and Anna C. O'Donnell and her husband Bulent Ceylon of Bangkok, Thailand; her uncle Tilman J. O'Donnell and his wife Melinda Kinnaman of Stockholm, Sweden; and her four cousins. Visitation hours for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St. The funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square. James McIntosh, Mass. teen killed in Florida crash, was independent, creative Hannah Wasserman, Mass. teen killed in Florida crash, loved history and dance New Bedford man killed in I-195 crash loved to play music, 'lit up every room'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. teen killed in Florida crash loved to dance, history and the outdoors
One of the three Concord-Carlisle High School seniors who died after a crash in the Florida Panhandle was on track to attend Syracuse University after graduation, Hannah Wasserman's obituary read. At around 9:28 p.m. on April 21, Wasserman, James McIntosh, Maisey O'Donnell and a third teenage girl were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The SUV crossed the median and the highway's eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. Wasserman and McIntosh died, while O'Donnell later died at the hospital, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter said in a statement obtained by WCVB-TV. The third teenage girl was last reported in critical condition. Wasserman was born on May 17, 2007, in Boston, her obituary read. She attended Concord Public Schools since kindergarten, when she went to Willard Elementary School, and enjoyed her time with friends and teachers. During the first semester of her senior year, Wasserman took part in the Rivers and Revolutions program, 'where Hannah found immense joy and belonging, new connections to learning, and increased confidence in the student and person that she was,' her family wrote. Wasserman loved history, the presidency and current affairs, her family continued. For over 13 years, she took part in dance, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip hop in the studio and competitively. 'This year, Hannah served as a teaching assistant for the younger dancers, a job she cherished,' her obituary read. Wasserman was also a camper, volunteer counselor and, recently, a lifeguard with the Concord Recreation Department, her family wrote. It was work she loved, with the 'joy and sense of belonging Hannah felt as a young camper inspired her to give back to the community with the next generation,' her family continued. 'Hannah loved live music and was always up for a concert,' her obituary read. 'Riding around and listening to music with friends was a favorite, and you could always count on her to have a playlist ready. She was a talented writer who enjoyed writing poetry. Hannah loved the beach, sunsets, and adventures with family and friends.' She was 'a very loving and kind daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend,' according to her family. 'She was true to herself and showed her love openly. Hannah's room is filled with pictures of friends and family, including a Taylor Swift quote from 'New Year's Day' that captures her spirit: 'Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you.'' Hannah is survived by her parents, Charlie and Jennifer Wasserman; her brothers, Henry and Ben; her maternal grandparents, Marcia and Steve Sabadosa; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Wasserman is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Max and Lucille Wasserman. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In the days after the three teenagers died, Concord police opened an investigation into a fake GoFundMe campaign supposedly set up to raise funds for Wasserman's funeral. 'At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the platform for any fundraisers related to this incident,' a statement from a GoFundMe spokesperson read. New Bedford man killed in I-195 crash loved to play music, 'lit up every room' Revere man killed in I-93 Medford crash came to US with wife from El Salvador South Shore man killed in Hanson car fire remembered as a 'gifted musician'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police investigating ‘fraudulent' GoFundMe established for Concord-Carlisle student killed in crash
Police say they are aware of a fraudulent GoFundMe page created to make people believe they were helping the family of one of the three Concord-Carlisle High School students killed in a crash in Florida earlier this month. Concord Police Chief Thomas Mulcahy told Boston 25 News that officers are aware of and investigating the fake page titled 'Help Cover Funeral Costs for Hannah Wasserman.' The fake page was set up under the name of Rex Riessen. Jayme Kennedy Riessen shared that her son had no part in establishing the page and asked people not to donate to the fundraiser. 'Rex did not start this fundraiser, we do not know who did, and have reported it. Please do not donate as this is not a verified effort. Please share!!!' Riessen wrote on April 22. Jimmy McIntosh, Hannah Wasserman and Maisey O'Donnell, three seniors at the high school, passed away due to the crash. A fourth student suffered critical injuries. Boston 25 News has reached out to GoFundMe to verify if refunds have been processed for donors to the fake page. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Concord police investigate fake GoFundMe made for teen killed in Florida crash
Law enforcement has opened an investigation into the organizer of a fake GoFundMe campaign that claimed to be for one of three Concord-Carlisle High School killed in a crash in Florida last week. The campaign purported to be raising funds for senior Hannah Wasserman, who died alongside fellow seniors Jimmy McIntosh and Maisey O'Donnell in a crash on April 21, according to Superintendent Laurie Hunter. Wasserman and McIntosh died at the scene, and O'Donnell later died at the hospital. A fourth student was in critical condition after the crash. A GoFundMe claiming to be raising funds for Wasserman's family that circulated last week was pulled from the website by GoFundMe's Trust and Safety team. Before it was taken down, the campaign raised about $8,000 in donations, according to WBZ News. The Concord Police Department has opened an investigation into the fraudulent fundraiser as of Monday morning, according to Chief Tom Mulcahy. GoFundMe stated all of the raised funds were 'safely held by our payment processors during our review process.' After the organizers did not respond to its Trust & Safety Team, GoFundMe refunded the donors and took down the fundraiser. 'At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the platform for any fundraisers related to this incident,' a statement from a GoFundMe spokesperson read. The fatal crash happened just before 9:30 p.m. on April 21, near Panama City Beach in Florida on Route 98. The four Concord-Carlisle seniors were in an SUV driving west when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive. The force of the impact pushed the SUV across the median and onto the eastbound side of the highway, before it came to a stop along the woodline, police said. McIntosh and Wasserman were pronounced dead at the scene, while O'Donnell and the fourth teen were hospitalized at Bay Medical Center. Superintendent Hunter did not immediately respond for comment on the fourth student's condition on Monday. Suspect in Mass. carjacking and hit-and-run arrested in New Jersey Police search for suspect accused of carjacking and hit-and-run at Mass. gas station Salem double murder victim identified as Arizona man Motion to suppress alcohol evidence in deadly Longmeadow crash allowed Fall River man ID'd as suspect in connection with February fatal shooting
