A fit and healthy teenage boy died suddenly during a wrestling practice after suffering a medical emergency.
Freddy Espinal, a 17-year-old police officer in training, tragically passed away on Sunday, leaving his close-knit Massachusetts community in mourning.
More than 100 Peabody friends and students gathered Tuesday night to say goodbye to the popular, charismatic student.
His girlfriend, Gisella Candido, told the crowd at the wake that Freddie was ‘stubborn, caring, [and] always did his utmost to make sure people were doing well.’
“At first it was unbelievable. I was just with him on Friday. I just saw him. I hugged him, held him, and then, just like that, it was like he was gone.”
Freddy Espinal, a 17-year-old aspiring police officer, tragically died Sunday, sparking an outpouring of grief in his close-knit Massachusetts community
District Attorney Paul Tucker worked with Espinal last summer after speaking with the teen and his father “about his interest in someday becoming a police officer.”
He described Espinal at the time as a “respectful, polite and kind young man who will pursue his dream and succeed.”
On Tuesday, he released a moving tribute, noting that “life sometimes has unimaginable tragedies, and this is one that touches many to the depths of their soul.”
Freddy’s life was ended prematurely by a medical emergency during wrestling training.
His close family, friends and classmates are left in mourning and wondering why.
The teen’s wrestling coach said: ‘Freddy was a larger than life personality, both on and off the mat’
‘Now that he is 17 and still eternally young, everyone who knew him wonders what great successes and achievements he would surely have achieved.’
A GoFundMe was established on behalf of Espinal’s grieving family.
The teen’s wrestling coach said: ‘Freddy was a larger than life character on and off the mat. He was passionate about his family and wrestling, which he worked incredibly hard at after falling in love with the sport his freshman year.
‘Apart from the wrestling, I really liked him as a person. He really made me laugh with his antics and he was dedicated to his teammates and friends.
“I loved him and will miss him terribly.”