This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/05/oakland-california-ghost-ship-fire-victims-list

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Oakland fire victims: teacher, students and pivotal local artists among the dead Oakland fire victims: teacher, students and pivotal local artists among the dead Oakland fire victims: teacher, students and pivotal local artists among the dead
(about 4 hours later)
The victims of the devastating fire that killed at least 36 people in Oakland, California, were artists, musicians, activists, community organizers and other young people who came together for a party at the “Ghost Ship” warehouse on Friday night.The victims of the devastating fire that killed at least 36 people in Oakland, California, were artists, musicians, activists, community organizers and other young people who came together for a party at the “Ghost Ship” warehouse on Friday night.
The fire, the deadliest in Oakland’s history, sent shockwaves through the vibrant underground scene in the northern California city, which is a haven for experimental art and music.The fire, the deadliest in Oakland’s history, sent shockwaves through the vibrant underground scene in the northern California city, which is a haven for experimental art and music.
“This is a mass loss. It’s reverberating throughout the entire community,” said Sarah Carlberg, assistant director of the Bay Area Book Festival, who knew many at the party. “Every one of those people were really active community makers and agents of culture and art.”“This is a mass loss. It’s reverberating throughout the entire community,” said Sarah Carlberg, assistant director of the Bay Area Book Festival, who knew many at the party. “Every one of those people were really active community makers and agents of culture and art.”
As of Tuesday, investigators were still processing the scene at the warehouse and identifying victims, some as young as 17 and many in their 20s and 30s. Police have confirmed the names of 17 people so far.As of Tuesday, investigators were still processing the scene at the warehouse and identifying victims, some as young as 17 and many in their 20s and 30s. Police have confirmed the names of 17 people so far.
The newly identified victims are Em B, Micah Danemayer, Alex Ghassan, Edmond Lapine, Benjamin Runnels, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, Chelsea Dolan, Michela Gregory, Jennifer Morris, and Feral Pines.The newly identified victims are Em B, Micah Danemayer, Alex Ghassan, Edmond Lapine, Benjamin Runnels, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, Chelsea Dolan, Michela Gregory, Jennifer Morris, and Feral Pines.
Cash Askew, 22Cash Askew, 22
Askew, an Oakland resident, was well known for her band Them Are Us Too, an emerging goth duo who launched their first album with Dais Records. “She was without a doubt one of the most talented and loving people we’ve ever known,” the label wrote on Facebook. “We will never be the same.”Askew, an Oakland resident, was well known for her band Them Are Us Too, an emerging goth duo who launched their first album with Dais Records. “She was without a doubt one of the most talented and loving people we’ve ever known,” the label wrote on Facebook. “We will never be the same.”
Friends and loved ones have offered tributes online, with the band Wax Idols writing: “I cannot find words adequate enough to describe what a loss this is. Not just to me personally & us as a band, but to everyone who ever met Cash or felt the gentle, transcendent power of her existence, her music & her energy.”Friends and loved ones have offered tributes online, with the band Wax Idols writing: “I cannot find words adequate enough to describe what a loss this is. Not just to me personally & us as a band, but to everyone who ever met Cash or felt the gentle, transcendent power of her existence, her music & her energy.”
Em B, 33Em B, 33
Em B was a poet and barista who recently moved from southern California to Oakland, where her friends and family say she found an accepting community as a trans woman.Em B was a poet and barista who recently moved from southern California to Oakland, where her friends and family say she found an accepting community as a trans woman.
“She was feeling at home,” said her father, Jack Bohlka, adding, “Em was the most caring, kind, generous person I’ve ever met in my life.”“She was feeling at home,” said her father, Jack Bohlka, adding, “Em was the most caring, kind, generous person I’ve ever met in my life.”
She was considering moving to New York City and becoming a teacher and wrote poetry that was free verse and often very personal, Bohlka said. “She and I had a real passion for social justice issues and literature ... She was always a champion for people who were on the margins.”She was considering moving to New York City and becoming a teacher and wrote poetry that was free verse and often very personal, Bohlka said. “She and I had a real passion for social justice issues and literature ... She was always a champion for people who were on the margins.”
Bohlka said he plans to establish a fund at a local LGBT center “in memory of Em, so that more transgender people will be able to become who they truly are, and so that there will be more safe spaces available”.Bohlka said he plans to establish a fund at a local LGBT center “in memory of Em, so that more transgender people will be able to become who they truly are, and so that there will be more safe spaces available”.
David Cline, 24David Cline, 24
A 2015 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with degrees in cognitive science and computer science, Cline lived in Oakland and was a musician and athlete growing up.A 2015 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, with degrees in cognitive science and computer science, Cline lived in Oakland and was a musician and athlete growing up.
His former music teacher of 10 years, Amanda Walker, wrote on Facebook that he played clarinet for the all-state band and was a volleyball player for his high school team near Santa Monica. A friend, Kara O’Connor, wrote in her own post that he “was one of the absolute brightest people I’ve ever had the great fortune of knowing”.His former music teacher of 10 years, Amanda Walker, wrote on Facebook that he played clarinet for the all-state band and was a volleyball player for his high school team near Santa Monica. A friend, Kara O’Connor, wrote in her own post that he “was one of the absolute brightest people I’ve ever had the great fortune of knowing”.
Mateo Garcia, a friend of Cline’s since elementary school, told the Guardian he was “always the classmate or team-mate that lit up the room”.Mateo Garcia, a friend of Cline’s since elementary school, told the Guardian he was “always the classmate or team-mate that lit up the room”.
“He was always able to snap you out of a funk by just saying something or doing something goofy.”“He was always able to snap you out of a funk by just saying something or doing something goofy.”
Micah Danemayer, 28Micah Danemayer, 28
Danemayer was known for bringing people together in the music scene and giving new musicians opportunities, said a friend, Nihar Bhatt, a DJ and record label owner who was outside the fire on Friday night.Danemayer was known for bringing people together in the music scene and giving new musicians opportunities, said a friend, Nihar Bhatt, a DJ and record label owner who was outside the fire on Friday night.
“He was always down to book the first show for artists. For many people, he just gave them their first platform,” he said, noting that Danemayer had booked his first solo show. “In my case, he talked me into it.”“He was always down to book the first show for artists. For many people, he just gave them their first platform,” he said, noting that Danemayer had booked his first solo show. “In my case, he talked me into it.”
Friends said Danemayer was always humble and didn’t get enough credit for how pivotal he was in organizing events and supporting artists.Friends said Danemayer was always humble and didn’t get enough credit for how pivotal he was in organizing events and supporting artists.
“Micah was very selfless in providing a platform for others to come and showcase their music,” said Tiare Ribeaux, a local curator. “He got very little recognition, got no money out of it, but he just kept doing it.”“Micah was very selfless in providing a platform for others to come and showcase their music,” said Tiare Ribeaux, a local curator. “He got very little recognition, got no money out of it, but he just kept doing it.”
Chelsea Dolan, 33Chelsea Dolan, 33
Dolan, a San Francisco resident, was a musician who performed under the stage name Cherushii. She was also a volunteer DJ at the local KALX community radio station.Dolan, a San Francisco resident, was a musician who performed under the stage name Cherushii. She was also a volunteer DJ at the local KALX community radio station.
Her mother, Colleen Dolan, wrote in a tribute on Facebook, “Chelsea Faith has always been an extraordinary person, full of exuberant joy. Her personality, intelligence, clothes, music, and kindness were legendary.”Her mother, Colleen Dolan, wrote in a tribute on Facebook, “Chelsea Faith has always been an extraordinary person, full of exuberant joy. Her personality, intelligence, clothes, music, and kindness were legendary.”
She said her daughter was passionate about electronic music and that she was on the verge of releasing a new album.She said her daughter was passionate about electronic music and that she was on the verge of releasing a new album.
“She loved doing special shows that told the history of electronic music. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of the electronic genres, as well as classical piano works. Nothing Chelsea Faith did was ordinary. She was an adventurer; she was stellar in every way, and she will always be the star of our hearts.”“She loved doing special shows that told the history of electronic music. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of the electronic genres, as well as classical piano works. Nothing Chelsea Faith did was ordinary. She was an adventurer; she was stellar in every way, and she will always be the star of our hearts.”
Alex Ghassan, 35Alex Ghassan, 35
Ghassan was a celebrated film-maker and freelance producer at KQED, the northern California public media network. The Oakland resident, who posted a video from inside the warehouse before the fire broke out, was the father of twin daughters.Ghassan was a celebrated film-maker and freelance producer at KQED, the northern California public media network. The Oakland resident, who posted a video from inside the warehouse before the fire broke out, was the father of twin daughters.
KQED said in a tribute, “Alex was an incredibly talented film-maker, a passionate supporter of the arts, and, working with our team, had an unrelenting interest in other people’s stories. It breaks our heart that his has come to an end.KQED said in a tribute, “Alex was an incredibly talented film-maker, a passionate supporter of the arts, and, working with our team, had an unrelenting interest in other people’s stories. It breaks our heart that his has come to an end.
Lex Leonard, a Jersey City resident who used to run an art space where Ghassan was a regular, wrote in an email, “Our young friend Alex G lived a thorough life on various levels and contributed much joy and inspiration to the lives of his friends and relatives, and served a self-fulfilled and diligent role in our moral and cultural ethos.”Lex Leonard, a Jersey City resident who used to run an art space where Ghassan was a regular, wrote in an email, “Our young friend Alex G lived a thorough life on various levels and contributed much joy and inspiration to the lives of his friends and relatives, and served a self-fulfilled and diligent role in our moral and cultural ethos.”
Nick Gomez-Hall, 25Nick Gomez-Hall, 25
Gomez-Hall, from Coronado in southern California, worked at Counterpoint Press, a publisher in Berkeley. The company wrote on Facebook: “Whether he was recommending new music to listen to (and it was always so good), regaling us with tales of the bowling alley, offering his beloved truck for a ride if anyone needed it, or sharing his much appreciated opinions about a book jacket or manuscript, he made everyone feel like they were his friend. He was kind, considerate, hilarious.”Gomez-Hall, from Coronado in southern California, worked at Counterpoint Press, a publisher in Berkeley. The company wrote on Facebook: “Whether he was recommending new music to listen to (and it was always so good), regaling us with tales of the bowling alley, offering his beloved truck for a ride if anyone needed it, or sharing his much appreciated opinions about a book jacket or manuscript, he made everyone feel like they were his friend. He was kind, considerate, hilarious.”
Gomez-Hall studied at Brown University, where community members were mourning on Monday and sharing memories of his music. A local newspaper shared an article he wrote and noted that his band Nightmom “served as a kind of way into the Providence music scene a few years ago, and we are seeing the impacts of his loss all around PVD today”.Gomez-Hall studied at Brown University, where community members were mourning on Monday and sharing memories of his music. A local newspaper shared an article he wrote and noted that his band Nightmom “served as a kind of way into the Providence music scene a few years ago, and we are seeing the impacts of his loss all around PVD today”.
Michela Gregory, 20Michela Gregory, 20
Gregory worked two part-time jobs and was also studying for a degree in special education at San Francisco State University, her mother, Kimberly Gregory, told the Los Angeles Times.Gregory worked two part-time jobs and was also studying for a degree in special education at San Francisco State University, her mother, Kimberly Gregory, told the Los Angeles Times.
“She was just a wonderful person with a smile that lit up the room everywhere she went,” the mother told the paper. “There was not a harsh bone in that girl’s body … If anyone was arguing, she was the first one to pull you aside and help you two make up.”“She was just a wonderful person with a smile that lit up the room everywhere she went,” the mother told the paper. “There was not a harsh bone in that girl’s body … If anyone was arguing, she was the first one to pull you aside and help you two make up.”
Gregory went to the party with her boyfriend, Alex Vega, who was still missing as of Tuesday.Gregory went to the party with her boyfriend, Alex Vega, who was still missing as of Tuesday.
Sara Hoda, 30Sara Hoda, 30
Hoda worked as a teacher at a Montessori school in the Bay Area, and with a friend, Carol Crewdson, had helped start a collective house, called the Musick Box, as a temporary residence for travelling artists. “She was a principled person,” Crewdson wrote on Facebook. “She was compassionate, decent, and honorable. She didn’t do drugs and she wasn’t a drinker.”Hoda worked as a teacher at a Montessori school in the Bay Area, and with a friend, Carol Crewdson, had helped start a collective house, called the Musick Box, as a temporary residence for travelling artists. “She was a principled person,” Crewdson wrote on Facebook. “She was compassionate, decent, and honorable. She didn’t do drugs and she wasn’t a drinker.”
“She was a teacher and a gardener,” Crewdson wrote, “She loved children and earth, and she put those principles in action.”“She was a teacher and a gardener,” Crewdson wrote, “She loved children and earth, and she put those principles in action.”
Angie Green, another friend, posted her own tribute: “I know we have not spoken in a while but I think of you often and will always miss you. You were one of the kindest and most selfless people I’ve ever met and I wish you could have stayed with us longer.”Angie Green, another friend, posted her own tribute: “I know we have not spoken in a while but I think of you often and will always miss you. You were one of the kindest and most selfless people I’ve ever met and I wish you could have stayed with us longer.”
Travis Hough, 35Travis Hough, 35
A musician with the electronic group Ghost of Lightning, Hough was remembered by family and friends from his hometown, Benicia, and from the California art world – he was a graduate of the California College of the Arts. A friend from high school, Jeanne Geiger, called Hough “such a special member of our unique little Benicia music community”, and his friend James Morgan wrote: “Travis was always a model of compassion and grace. I have a profound admiration for him and the way he lived. He was a free spirit. He will be grievously missed.”A musician with the electronic group Ghost of Lightning, Hough was remembered by family and friends from his hometown, Benicia, and from the California art world – he was a graduate of the California College of the Arts. A friend from high school, Jeanne Geiger, called Hough “such a special member of our unique little Benicia music community”, and his friend James Morgan wrote: “Travis was always a model of compassion and grace. I have a profound admiration for him and the way he lived. He was a free spirit. He will be grievously missed.”
His friends launched a donation fund for the family, writing that he “was a unique, warm, loving soul that this world was blessed to know”.His friends launched a donation fund for the family, writing that he “was a unique, warm, loving soul that this world was blessed to know”.
Donna Kellogg, 32Donna Kellogg, 32
Kellogg, who lived in Oakland, was a barista at a local coffee shop in Berkeley and was well known in the arts community.Kellogg, who lived in Oakland, was a barista at a local coffee shop in Berkeley and was well known in the arts community.
“She had a really good heart,” said Jenny Yang, a friend and Oakland resident who is active in the local DIY art scene. “I just always felt like she was a very wise person in the sense of really understanding people and never showing negative judgement toward anyone.”“She had a really good heart,” said Jenny Yang, a friend and Oakland resident who is active in the local DIY art scene. “I just always felt like she was a very wise person in the sense of really understanding people and never showing negative judgement toward anyone.”
Yang said she would always see Kellogg riding her bike and that she was often present at local art events: “I felt like she was this magical person, kind of like an angel that arrived. She was always in the background smiling.”Yang said she would always see Kellogg riding her bike and that she was often present at local art events: “I felt like she was this magical person, kind of like an angel that arrived. She was always in the background smiling.”
Edmond Lapine, 34Edmond Lapine, 34
Lapine, an Oakland resident, was a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and had previously interned for the independent label K Records.Lapine, an Oakland resident, was a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and had previously interned for the independent label K Records.
His former boss from the label, Calvin Johnson, told the East Bay Times that Lapine “had a real understanding, just an innate feel for music and people”.His former boss from the label, Calvin Johnson, told the East Bay Times that Lapine “had a real understanding, just an innate feel for music and people”.
Lapine’s friend Amanda Stauffer also shared a tribute on Facebook, writing that Lapine had helped her learn how to play guitar and was a great teacher: “He gave me lessons, and his patience and enthusiasm for the whole project can only be described as saintly in the face of my unwavering lack of discipline.”Lapine’s friend Amanda Stauffer also shared a tribute on Facebook, writing that Lapine had helped her learn how to play guitar and was a great teacher: “He gave me lessons, and his patience and enthusiasm for the whole project can only be described as saintly in the face of my unwavering lack of discipline.”
Jennifer Morris, 21Jennifer Morris, 21
Morris was a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and was from Foster City, California. The college confirmed that she was a junior majoring in media studies and that she previously studied at University of California, Santa Cruz.Morris was a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and was from Foster City, California. The college confirmed that she was a junior majoring in media studies and that she previously studied at University of California, Santa Cruz.
Classmates and friends shared reflections and tributes on social media, with one writing, “You truly meant a lot to so many people. Thank you for adding joy to so many people’s lives Jenny.”Classmates and friends shared reflections and tributes on social media, with one writing, “You truly meant a lot to so many people. Thank you for adding joy to so many people’s lives Jenny.”
Feral Pines, 29Feral Pines, 29
Pines previously lived in Indiana and had only recently moved to Oakland, where she found a supportive community of artists and queer people. She was a musician and was described by many friends as a role model for other trans women.Pines previously lived in Indiana and had only recently moved to Oakland, where she found a supportive community of artists and queer people. She was a musician and was described by many friends as a role model for other trans women.
“She was wild and free,” said Max Tamola, a longtime friend. “She loved her friends more than anything ... She is living on in all of us.”“She was wild and free,” said Max Tamola, a longtime friend. “She loved her friends more than anything ... She is living on in all of us.”
“Her art is renowned among community,” her friends wrote in a tribute. “As her queer family gathers to share memories, a common narrative emerges: Feral saving our lives over and over again. For many of her trans community, Feral was a guide and sister in a world of small joys and terrible precarity for trans women. Feral was truly committed to empowering those that the world deems powerless.”“Her art is renowned among community,” her friends wrote in a tribute. “As her queer family gathers to share memories, a common narrative emerges: Feral saving our lives over and over again. For many of her trans community, Feral was a guide and sister in a world of small joys and terrible precarity for trans women. Feral was truly committed to empowering those that the world deems powerless.”
Benjamin Runnels, 32Benjamin Runnels, 32
Runnels was an Oakland musician who was also known as Charlie Prowler. He was from New York state and worked in landscaping as a way to support his musical endeavors, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The paper said he sang jazz standards at a bar and created electronic beats for dance.Runnels was an Oakland musician who was also known as Charlie Prowler. He was from New York state and worked in landscaping as a way to support his musical endeavors, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The paper said he sang jazz standards at a bar and created electronic beats for dance.
Runnels was also part of an Oakland duo band called Introflirt, which billed itself as a “soundtrack for the insecure”.Runnels was also part of an Oakland duo band called Introflirt, which billed itself as a “soundtrack for the insecure”.
“He was warm, kind, witty and had an inner connectedness to himself and the world that few possess,” one friend wrote in a tribute. “He had a vision of where he wanted to be in five years, even if he knew that path would be winding.“He was warm, kind, witty and had an inner connectedness to himself and the world that few possess,” one friend wrote in a tribute. “He had a vision of where he wanted to be in five years, even if he knew that path would be winding.
Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31
Tanouye was known throughout Oakland for her nail art, often showing up to local parties and painting intricate nail designs on people, posting photos with the name “Underground Nail Bar”. She also worked as a manager at Shazam, the popular music app.Tanouye was known throughout Oakland for her nail art, often showing up to local parties and painting intricate nail designs on people, posting photos with the name “Underground Nail Bar”. She also worked as a manager at Shazam, the popular music app.
“I really looked up to her,” said Jenny Yang, who is active in the local DIY art scene. “It’s very hard to find other Asian Americans that can relate in the way we do in the sense of being really interested in DIY culture, really interested in art and music, really interested in social justice.”“I really looked up to her,” said Jenny Yang, who is active in the local DIY art scene. “It’s very hard to find other Asian Americans that can relate in the way we do in the sense of being really interested in DIY culture, really interested in art and music, really interested in social justice.”
As the Oakland art scene received more mainstream attention in recent years, Tanouye fought to ensure that longtime DIY artists were included, Yang added: “She was like, ‘Hey, I have this whole community of friends that have been here forever that are wanting finally to have a stage to perform on.’”As the Oakland art scene received more mainstream attention in recent years, Tanouye fought to ensure that longtime DIY artists were included, Yang added: “She was like, ‘Hey, I have this whole community of friends that have been here forever that are wanting finally to have a stage to perform on.’”
She was also known for her successful work organizing the Mission Creek music and arts festival in Oakland.She was also known for her successful work organizing the Mission Creek music and arts festival in Oakland.
Tanouye was the reason the festival survived, said friend Allegra Rush. “She could do whatever she wanted to do and it would happen.”Tanouye was the reason the festival survived, said friend Allegra Rush. “She could do whatever she wanted to do and it would happen.”
Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32
Wittenauer, from Hayward, California, was a musician who also went by the stage name Nex Iuguolo and was part of a band called Symbiotix.Fungi. His longtime friend Amanda Fish, who met Wittenauer in high school, said that he was part of a tight-knit community in the East Bay music scene.Wittenauer, from Hayward, California, was a musician who also went by the stage name Nex Iuguolo and was part of a band called Symbiotix.Fungi. His longtime friend Amanda Fish, who met Wittenauer in high school, said that he was part of a tight-knit community in the East Bay music scene.
“It was great that he found all these Oakland events. He found similar artists and they all encouraged each other,” he said. “He knew everybody in the room. He was like Mr Charisma ... Chase made everyone around him feel loved.”“It was great that he found all these Oakland events. He found similar artists and they all encouraged each other,” he said. “He knew everybody in the room. He was like Mr Charisma ... Chase made everyone around him feel loved.”
Wittenauer grew up in Santa Maria, California, and became very interested in experimental music Fish described as “industrial techno”.Wittenauer grew up in Santa Maria, California, and became very interested in experimental music Fish described as “industrial techno”.
“He was sweet and sincere and charming and he was really curious about the universe,” she added. “He was just excited about life. He had tons of energy … and he really encouraged you to follow your dreams. He’s going to leave a huge hole in our life.”“He was sweet and sincere and charming and he was really curious about the universe,” she added. “He was just excited about life. He had tons of energy … and he really encouraged you to follow your dreams. He’s going to leave a huge hole in our life.”
Wittenauer was one of the most supportive people at local arts events, said Tiare Ribeaux, a local curator. “He was always putting other people first and always really wanting to see the community thrive.”Wittenauer was one of the most supportive people at local arts events, said Tiare Ribeaux, a local curator. “He was always putting other people first and always really wanting to see the community thrive.”
If you would like to share a tribute to any of the victims, email sam.levin@theguardian.com and alan.yuhas@theguardian.com.If you would like to share a tribute to any of the victims, email sam.levin@theguardian.com and alan.yuhas@theguardian.com.