The Newtown Bee received information on March 28 of a GoFundMe campaign to support the family of Jeremy and Avielle Richman. Avielle, a first grader, died at Sandy Hook School on 12/14. Dr Jeremy Richman [naviga:u]died[/naviga:u][naviga:u] March 25,[/naviga:u] 2019.

The GoFundMe campaign, at [naviga:u]https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-the-family-of-jeremy-amp-avielle-richman[/naviga:u] was created on March 27 by Mike Hensel, the brother of Jennifer Hensel. It has a goal of $30,000.

Jennifer Hensel provided this statement for the GoFundMe campaign:

“As many of you know, Monday morning we experienced yet another tragedy when Jeremy completed suicide.

“Side by side since 1991, Jeremy and I walked a path of deep friendship, marriage, and parenthood. As you may know, our first born, our beautiful Avielle, was murdered at Sandy Hook school in 2012.

“In 2013, we founded the Avielle Foundation to honor her life: [naviga:u]aviellefoundation.com[/naviga:u]

“Our second daughter, Imogen (4 years) and son Owen (2 years) brought a renewed sense of joy and hope to our lives. Imogen and Owen are imaginative, fun, caring, sweet, curious and RIDICULOUSLY loving. They are a true reflection of Jeremy and me.

“The work of the Avielle Foundation is meaningful. But my champion and the love of my life is the person who had every tool in the toolbox at his disposal. He succumbed to the grief that he could not escape. Now we also honor Jeremy through the continued work of our foundation.

“Our family is our true legacy.

“To parent our children without my champion shatters my heart and I will love my best friend forever. I am grateful for your support and donations.”

The Avielle Foundation was cofounded by Dr Richman and Ms Hensel to honor the memory of their daughter Avielle, and to help others through brain research, community engagement and education to prevent violence and build compassion.

The Brainstorm Experience was a product of The Avielle Foundation, and is a “series of talks, workshops, and activities to engage communities, foster brain health, and end the stigma associated with brain illnesses,” according to [naviga:u]its website[/naviga:u]. A [naviga:u]separate GoFundMe campaign had been launched[/naviga:u] by an "angel investor" earlier in the week for the foundation. 

Brainstorm Experience programs since 2018 played to sold out or nearly sold out audiences at Edmond Town Hall Theatre.