Baltimore, a city with deep cultural and historical roots, has certainly seen its share of tragedy through the generations. Of late, a number of high-profile incidents related to the area, all including tragic loss of life, are a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the need for every single one of us to use the time we have on this Earth to advance goodness and grace since we never know how much time we will have to leave our impact.
Life can be taken in an instant, and often when least expected. Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was brutally murdered while jogging on a trail in nearby Bel Air. What should have been a welcome respite from the day-to-day pressures to move her body and clear her mind became a senseless tragedy that left her family in anguish and the Harford County and Baltimore-area community in shock.
Within our community, danger lurks in spaces that should be safe. Senseless acts of brutality not only rob the victims of their lives but shatter the sense of safety that each of us should feel in this community.
The killing of Pava LaPere comes to mind, as well. The 26-year-old entrepreneur was killed in 2023 tragically, taking her away from the family who loved her and the city she loved dearly. LaPere believed in this city and area, and we would be right to carry on her passion for making it a better place to live and work. May we continue to honor her legacy.
The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore. Raised in privilege in nearby Towson and educated at the Gilman School, as well as an Ivy League university, this 26-year-old will soon go on trial, accused of shooting to death the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The victim is not some nameless, faceless corporate automaton. He was Brian Thompson, and he was a married father of two children.
If convicted, Mangione will have solidified a fateful decision to give in to murderous impulses and thrown away a promising future, totally ruining his own life.
And then there is the case of Angie Stone, the talented R&B singer, who just hours before she was set to perform at the CIAA basketball tournament in Baltimore was killed when her vehicle flipped over in Alabama and was struck by a big rig. Though far away, the connection still hits close to home. And her loss is a big one to the music community and the ones who knew and loved her.
In a matter of moments, the world lost a beloved artist, and her family, friends, and fans were left devastated and in mourning.
So what lesson should we draw from these three very different scenarios, all of which are linked to Baltimore?
They each are stark reminders of how unpredictable life is. And how precious. Despite the fact that Baltimore has long battled high crime rates and public safety concerns, ours is a beautiful city full of promise and good people of dignity and integrity. The pain we feel from each of these tragic deaths must serve a higher purpose. They should shake us from our complacency and reignite our commitment to living productive lives that lift up the community.
Languishing in our grief is not enough. Baltimoreans — and indeed all Marylanders — are being reminded how much we need to value each day. To show appreciation for our employers, our loved ones, the people who dedicate themselves to public life and community service.
Life is our most precious possession. Every moment matters. We must look to heal Baltimore, and then to do all in our power to take care of one another. That is a cause worth pursuing, for ourselves and generations to come.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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Life can be taken in an instant, and often when least expected. Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was brutally murdered while jogging on a trail in nearby Bel Air. What should have been a welcome respite from the day-to-day pressures to move her body and clear her mind became a senseless tragedy that left her family in anguish and the Harford County and Baltimore-area community in shock.
Within our community, danger lurks in spaces that should be safe. Senseless acts of brutality not only rob the victims of their lives but shatter the sense of safety that each of us should feel in this community.
The killing of Pava LaPere comes to mind, as well. The 26-year-old entrepreneur was killed in 2023 tragically, taking her away from the family who loved her and the city she loved dearly. LaPere believed in this city and area, and we would be right to carry on her passion for making it a better place to live and work. May we continue to honor her legacy.
The bizarre case of Luigi Mangione should also be considered a needless stain on Baltimore. Raised in privilege in nearby Towson and educated at the Gilman School, as well as an Ivy League university, this 26-year-old will soon go on trial, accused of shooting to death the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The victim is not some nameless, faceless corporate automaton. He was Brian Thompson, and he was a married father of two children.
If convicted, Mangione will have solidified a fateful decision to give in to murderous impulses and thrown away a promising future, totally ruining his own life.
And then there is the case of Angie Stone, the talented R&B singer, who just hours before she was set to perform at the CIAA basketball tournament in Baltimore was killed when her vehicle flipped over in Alabama and was struck by a big rig. Though far away, the connection still hits close to home. And her loss is a big one to the music community and the ones who knew and loved her.
In a matter of moments, the world lost a beloved artist, and her family, friends, and fans were left devastated and in mourning.
So what lesson should we draw from these three very different scenarios, all of which are linked to Baltimore?
They each are stark reminders of how unpredictable life is. And how precious. Despite the fact that Baltimore has long battled high crime rates and public safety concerns, ours is a beautiful city full of promise and good people of dignity and integrity. The pain we feel from each of these tragic deaths must serve a higher purpose. They should shake us from our complacency and reignite our commitment to living productive lives that lift up the community.
Languishing in our grief is not enough. Baltimoreans — and indeed all Marylanders — are being reminded how much we need to value each day. To show appreciation for our employers, our loved ones, the people who dedicate themselves to public life and community service.
Life is our most precious possession. Every moment matters. We must look to heal Baltimore, and then to do all in our power to take care of one another. That is a cause worth pursuing, for ourselves and generations to come.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
