Hi my name is Katie and I am fundraising for my cousin Amanda, who unexpectedly lost her brother Derrick.

In 2016, Amanda suffered the unimaginable loss of her father. In 2021, her world was shaken again when her mother passed away. And now, Amanda is facing an unthinkable tragedy — the sudden death of her only brother, Derrick.

After a full day of desperately trying to reach him, Amanda called for a welfare check. The police arrived at his apartment and confirmed her worst fear: he had passed away.

Derrick was a rare and brilliant soul—a quiet force of intellect and creativity who touched countless lives through his words. A lifelong lover of literature and philosophy, Derrick found his truest expression through writing. Under the pen name Gabriel Amadej, he built a devoted community of readers and followers online who were drawn to his deep insights, lyrical prose, and raw honesty.

Though introverted by nature, Derrick’s mind was endlessly expansive. He had a gift for capturing the human condition with empathy and clarity, and his work offered comfort, inspiration, and reflection to thousands around the world. He never sought the spotlight, yet his presence was unmistakable.

To those who knew him personally, Derrick was kind, thoughtful, and fiercely intelligent. He was the type of person who listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak—or write—it was with purpose and meaning. His quiet wisdom and dry wit will be remembered and missed dearly.

Amanda has now lost her entire immediate family in less than a decade and is facing this heartbreaking moment without the support of the people who loved her most. On top of her grief, she now has to shoulder the unexpected financial burden of planning her brother’s funeral.

We are asking for your help to ease some of that burden. All donations will go directly to funeral costs, and anything raised beyond that will help Amanda find stability during this incredibly painful time.

No one should have to walk through this kind of loss alone. If you’re able, please consider donating — and if you’re not, please share this with others who may be able to help.

Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support.