The tragic death of Adan De La Cruz, a senior at Nikki Rowe High School and a beloved member of the McAllen, Texas, community, has left a profound impact on all who knew him.
As a promising football player, De La Cruz was admired not just for his athletic abilities but also for his character and the relationships he forged with his peers and teachers. His untimely passing has plunged the community into mourning, as they grapple with the loss of a young life filled with potential and promise.
The McAllen Independent School District announced De La Cruz’s death on Wednesday, delivering the heartbreaking news that has since reverberated throughout the community. “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of one of our students.
Adan De La Cruz, a senior at Rowe High School, passed away today,” the district’s statement read. “He was a wonderful young man, very well liked, and much admired by his peers. He will be missed but not forgotten.”
The district’s immediate response was to offer thoughts and prayers to De La Cruz’s family during this extraordinarily difficult time, recognizing the profound grief that comes with the loss of a child.
In an effort to help the school community cope, the district also deployed a team of counselors to the campus, providing much-needed emotional support to students and staff who were deeply affected by this tragedy.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez expressed his condolences as well, emphasizing the sorrow felt across the community. Authorities had received notice from medical personnel about De La Cruz’s death early Wednesday afternoon, which was confirmed by Chief Rodriguez.
“So, we are really, really sorry to learn that this afternoon about this young person,” Rodriguez said. “This is occurring as we speak, so that’s all I can tell you is that at this point in time, that is the information we’re getting from medical personnel at this time. Very, very tragic. We’re so sorry, you know, clearly our condolences to the family and to the student body as well.”
The circumstances surrounding De La Cruz’s death have only added to the tragedy. The young athlete was involved in a devastating accident on the previous Saturday just before midnight.
According to reports, De La Cruz slipped off a roof while attempting to jump into a pool, an incident that ultimately led to his death. The accident occurred at a party that has since become the focal point of an ongoing police investigation, raising questions about the role of alcohol and the responsibilities of those who hosted the event.
On Wednesday afternoon, police announced the arrest of a teenager, Heron Hernandez Jr., who they accuse of collecting an “entrance fee” at the party where the tragic incident occurred.
