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NYC Medical Examiner Investigating Bronxville Teen Soccer Player Death

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The recent gloomy weather is reflective of the mood in Bronxville as the village mourns the passing of 16-year-old Thomas Jakelich.

Thomas Jakelich, a Bronxville resident, was a student at Loyola School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Thomas Jakelich, a Bronxville resident, was a student at Loyola School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Photo Credit: Contributed

On Monday afternoon, Jakelich, a student at the Loyola School in Manhattan, was involved in a collision during the varsity soccer match against the United Nationals International School. While the contact seemed routine at first, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with internal injuries.

Jakelich reportedly suffered a lacerated liver in the collision. He died later on Monday night after undergoing multiple surgeries at the Harlem Hospital Center. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to announce an exact cause of death.

A vigil was held in Bronxville in Jakelich’s memory on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Loyola held a special mass in his honor.

“As a school community, we mourn the tragic loss of Thomas Jakelich and off our prayers and deepest condolences to the family,” Loyola School President Tony Oroszlany said in a statement. “Out of respect for the privacy of Thomas’ loved ones and that of our students, we offer no other comment beyond our profound sadness at the loss of a beloved member of the Loyola School family.

On Thursday, members of the Bronxville community mourned the loss and offered their well wishes to his friends and family members.

“It’s unfathomable to even think about, especially when it comes right out of the blue like this,” Eastchester resident Theresa Fuller, a mother of two, said while shopping in Bronxville. “Your heart just goes out to the family. I hope they get some answers about what happened.”

This was first Jakelich’s first year attending Loyola after transferring over the summer. Bronxville resident Lou Drewry, who said he has children that have played sports with the high school junior, shared his sympathy for the family while walking near Village Hall.

“I read what happened," he said. "It’s really hard to even think about as a parent; and there’s just nothing you can do.

"It’s your worst nightmare. My thoughts are with anyone who has ever been touched by this kid.” 

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