Latest news with #freeSpirit
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
A ‘free spirit': Mother remembers teen at center of metro-east investigation
Tiffany Zancha describes her 19-year-old son, Damien Zancha, as a 'free spirit' who was known for living up to the ideals of his namesake, St. Damien, the Catholic saint who ministered to outcasts and people with leprosy in Hawaii in the 1800s. 'He was a free spirit through and through,' Tiffany Zancha said about her son in a text Friday to the Belleville News-Democrat. 'If he wanted to do something — by God, he was going to do it, no matter what anyone said.' A funeral service is set for Saturday for Damien Zancha, who is the focus of an ongoing death investigation in connection with what Highland police report as 'an incident that occurred at Silver Lake' last month. Tiffany Zancha, who said her son died on May 22, said she wanted to 'hold off' on commenting on the police investigation at this time. Highland Police Chief Carole Widman has declined to release details regarding Damien Zancha's death or comment on whether anyone has been arrested. Rumors have been swirling on social media about the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death. 'Please be advised that we are aware of numerous social media posts regarding this incident,' the Highland Police Department said in a news release Thursday. 'This is an open and active investigation. Forensic analysis results in this case are still pending. No further details are being released at this time to preserve the integrity of the investigation.' Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Jeremiah Kingery at 618-654-2131, ext 3. Silver Lake is part of Silver Lake Park, which is operated by the city of Highland. It's 2 1/2 miles northeast of downtown, off Illinois 143. Funeral arrangements for Damien Zancha are being handled by Kutis Funeral Home. Visitation will be at noon Saturday at the Kutis Affton Chapel at 10151 Gravois Road in Affton, Missouri. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday. He graduated from Highland High School in 2024 and loved to fish, according to his obituary. Tiffany Zancha said her son was named for St. Damien. 'From the start, Damien was always a funny, witty child that could light up any room,' she wrote. 'That child loved sports so much that his first word was 'ball.' He wanted to play any and every sport and so he did. From soccer, basketball and football to wrestling and track (and) field.' She said her son wanted to be 'included and accepted for who he was and not the picture that the world had painted of him. 'He loved his friends and family with a ferocity that all of us hope we can find in this lifetime,' she wrote. To sum up her memories of her son, Tiffany Zancha used an anglicized Gaelic phrase about someone's strong admiration for another: 'He was one of (a) kind. My macushla.' Belleville News-Democrat reporter Bruce Darnell contributed information for this article.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Son Warned Mom Not to Sell Her House and Travel the World. Now, She's Broke and Wants to Move in
A man denied his mom's plea to move in with him after exhausting all her resources The Reddit user explained that his mother has never been smart with money, and recently sold her house and quit her job to travel the world After her funds ran out, she asked to move in with him — but he shot her downOne frustrated son turns to Reddit after refusing to let his mother move in with him following her impulsive decision to sell her house and travel the world. The 29-year-old describes his mother as a 'free spirit' who has consistently prioritized her desires over financial stability. 'She always followed her heart, even when it made no financial sense,' he explains in his post. He notes that his childhood was also affected by his mother's impulsive behavior, which led to financial struggles. Five years ago, the mother made a drastic choice to sell her house, quit her job, and embark on a global adventure, dismissing any concerns for the future of her financial security. Her family tried to talk her out of it, but she remained adamant about her decision, telling everyone, 'That's future me's problem.' Now, the consequences of her actions have finally caught up with her. Broke and without a place to live, she turned to her son for help, asking to move in with him and his fiancée. However, the couple finds themselves in a difficult position, as they recently purchased their first home together and are planning their wedding. The son ultimately refused his mother's request, citing limited space in their small two-bedroom house and their desire to build their own life together. Instead, he offered her financial assistance to cover rent for a cheap apartment. However, his decision was met with disapproval from his mother. 'She said I was selfish and ungrateful ... and that she 'sacrificed everything' to raise me, and now I was abandoning her,' he writes. The mother accused her son of 'acting like a stranger' instead of family, which further put a strain on their relationship. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. But the poster stands firm in his decision. 'I reminded her that she ignored everyone's warnings and that I shouldn't have to put my life on hold for her choices. She started crying, saying I didn't understand how hard it was to be alone and broke at her age,' he shares. Now, the situation has escalated beyond the immediate family. Relatives have been pressuring the son to take in his mother. They argue that he owes it to her as her child. The man's fiancée also supports him, but feels bad for his mom. As the man grapples with what he should do, Reddit users have come to his defense, noting that his mother made these choices and now has to face the consequences. "You warned her, and she refused to listen," one user commented, to which the son replied, 'It's frustrating because it feels like she hasn't learned from her past mistakes.' Read the original article on People
