For the last 6 years, I was lucky enough to have shared a life, a love, and a home with my partner and best friend, Sam Linehan. At around 10am on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Sam was shot and killed in cold blood. They died in their car in a drive-thru while buying a coffee.
To say that this senseless and horrific tragedy has shattered my entire world would be an understatement. I am completely at a loss. I am beyond devastated, but I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Sam was a truly once-in-a-lifetime and singular person, that we were all lucky to know and love. We are all devastated.
Donations will cover immediate expenses like cremation, celebration of life, travel expenses for family, death certificates and paperwork, supporting Sam’s loved ones, and whatever other bureaucratic stuff I'm just learning about that will need to be dealt with.
But most importantly, all of the additional funds will be used to establish a scholarship program in Sam’s name with the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club in Webster Groves. We’re hoping to have it live by February 25th.
From MEFSC:
“The Metro Edge Figure Skating Club is heartbroken over of the death of our beloved Coach Sam. Coach Sam Linehan was a cherished skater, coach, mentor and friend whose impact reached far beyond the ice. A dedicated leader, Coach Sam devoted time and heart to supporting and developing skaters while instilling the values of discipline, teamwork, integrity and resilience. This loss is both sudden and profoundly heartbreaking for athletes, staff and the entire skating community.
Coach Sam’s legacy lives on in the countless lives touched through years of dedication to MEFSC. Sam’s encouragement and guidance helped skaters grow not only as athletes but as individuals, building a supportive and close-knit community. The outpouring of love and memories from skaters, families and friends is a testament to the positive impact Sam had on everyone around them.
MEFSC is focused on supporting Sam’s family during this time and memorializing Sam's legacy within the skating community. A portion of the funds raised will directed to a scholarship fund in Sam's name that honors their coaching legacy and the values they embodied. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference and is deeply appreciated.”
A representative for MEFSC will post scholarship updates as things move forward.
I want to give a sincere thank you to everyone who has reached out in any capacity, on behalf of both of our families. A special thank you goes to the figure skating community. The STL skating world has loved, and been loved by Sam for 20 years. MEFSC's assistance has been invaluable for both of our families. Another special thank you to Sado, where Sam loved working almost as much as they loved skating.
A Celebration Of Life will be held for Sam Linehan in The Hall at Olive+Oak (216 W Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO) on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 2:30-6:30pm. All are welcome to stay as long as they'd like to pay respects to Sam.
If you're someone that Sam has ever inspired or encouraged, or they've ever told "I love you” to, or gave you advice that changed your life, or if they sent you photo of one of our cats, or you've sent them a photo of yours, or you've laughed together, or cried together, or sang together, or played music together, or worked together, or skated together, or they've lent you their clothes and you looked amazing, or helped do your hair, or your makeup, or your nails at the Sam Salon, or you got to hear them laugh, and especially if they've ever made fun of you to your face…I love you, because you loved Sam. It was impossible not to.
UPDATE: 02/17/26
There are no words to describe how moved I am. The outpouring of support this past week is an incredible reminder of how loved Sam was, and how much of an impact they had—big or small. To anyone who has donated, shared this page, shared memories, shared funny stories, sent well wishes, or has simply been thinking about Sam since Feb. 10th—thank you, from the bottom of my heart. There’s no way to fully express how grateful I am.
I won’t be increasing the goal. I can’t imagine asking for more than what has already been given. However, the option to donate will remain open until the Celebration of Life on March 2. If you happen to come across this page between now and then, please feel welcome to contribute. It will be put to good use.
The exact details of the scholarship are still in the works, but I very much look forward to sharing how these donations will be used to honor the life and legacy of Sam.
Thank you again. I love you all.
– Reid