Tragic Death of a Young Bigfooter
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on January 8th, 2012
I come to you with a heavy heart to share the saddest kind of news.
Monica Rawlins, probably my very best friend in the world, has tragically lost her only son, 17 year old Riley, on Saturday evening.
Riley Rawlins passed away from injuries suffered from being hit by a woman running a redlight as Riley was crossing the street.
Riley wasn’t a Bigfooter, per se. He was a member of a Bigfoot research family and the greater Sasquatch study community, nevertheless.
Riley was well known to TBRC members from attending group meetings with his mom and sister, Gillian.
Riley, on the right, with Bart Cutino.
Riley also attended a West Coast Bigfoot expedition with his mom and other Bigfooters in 2010.
Riley in the Redwoods. Photo Tom Yamarone.
Riley was to celebrate his 18th birthday next month. He planned to join the Marine Corps after graduating high school. He was a good kid who left this world far too soon.
Please join with us here at Cryptomundo in contributing to a memorial fund in Riley’s honor by making a donation in whatever amount you are able using the donation button in the top right corner of the website.
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He did but float a little way
adown the stream of time;
with dreamy eyes watching the ripples play,
or listening to their chime.
His slender sail
scarce felt the gale;
he did but float a little way,
and, putting to the shore,
while yet ’twas early day,
went calmly on his way,
to dwell with us no more.
No jarring did he feel,
no grating on his vessel’s keel;
a strip of yellow sand
mingled the waters with the land,
where he was seen no more;
O stern word, Nevermore!
Full short his journey was; no dust
of earth unto his sandals clave;
the weary weight, that old men must,
he bore not to his grave.
He seemed a cherub who had lost his way
and wandered hither; so his stay
with us was short; and ’twas most meet
that he should be no delver in earth’s clod,
nor need to pause and cleanse his feet
to stand before his God.
–Anonymous. Poem in The Children’s Anthology (1941), ed. William Lyon Phelps (1865-1943)
All proceeds will be given to Monica to help this young family’s expenses in this trying time.
God speed Riley!
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
R.I.P
Unbelievably sad
So sad,my thoughts go out to Monica and her family. I know that words will not help but hope that time will allow the family to be able to look back at the good times instead of being consumed by grief. My heart bleeds for the Rawlins family.
Very sad. I’m sorry Monica.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
RIP Riley
I am so sorry. My cousin was that age when he was killed. What a devastating loss.
My family and I are very sorry for Monica’s, Monica’s family and your loss Craig. The loss of a young person with so much potential is truly tragic.
Our love to all of you.
Kathy, Ryk, and the Spoor clan.
so sorry for your loss !!!!!!
Rest in Peace, Riley…
Craig,
I’m very sorry to read of the passing of this young man. So much unrealized potential, a mother losing her son, and you losing a friend.
I lost a friend to a drunk driver last month. At least he was an old guy like me.
Very Sad!
Sorry for your loss Craig.
Please convey my best regards to Riley’s family and the TBRC members.
Alex
I am truly crushed to hear of your loss Monica…
We never know when tragedy is just around the corner, I hope you will cherish his moments on this Earth. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family and Riley’s loved ones.
My prayers and thoughts go out to Monica and her entire family in this very sad time of their lives. May you always cherish the moments, good or bad that you had together
My heart breaks for his Mom and family. Such a tragic loss. Looks like a really nice kid. I pray for peace and healing for his family.
Sorry to hear about this. Don’t know this family, but my heart goes out to them.
Such a heart-breaking event. I cannot imagine what his mother is going through, but I hope she knows that everyone feels with her. She is not alone in this process.
Loren, this is the second time in a short while you posted a memorial and I have felt compelled to respond, although I knew neither personally. It does give us all an opportunity to reflect on the things that matter the most, to tell this particular family how sad we are for them, and to maybe promise ourselves again, to re-double our efforts to be thoughtful and kind, as our time here is precious. I believe Riley will continue to know his family’s love and they his, in Spirit and in peace. It is lovely you provided this remembrance.
I respectfully offer my condolences to family and friends. This is very sad to hear.
If I knew what to say I’d say something. RIP.