His parents said their son had ‘the biggest heart.’ He’s one of the victims of the Bourbon Street attack

By Taylor Galgano, Danny Freeman, Kia Fatahi, Chris Lau, David Williams, Ryan Young, Jason Morris, Sara Smart and Karina Tsui, CNN

(CNN) — Matthew Tenedorio, 25, had a superpower: He could make people laugh, one of his cousins said.

Tenedorio leaves behind two loving older brothers, his parents and many devastated cousins, said Zach Colgan, one of those cousins. Tenedorio is among the 14 people tragically killed when a rented pickup truck plowed into a crowd celebrating the New Year in New Orleans during Wednesday’s early hours.

Growing up together, Colgan told CNN he can’t stop replaying years of memories in his head.

“He liked telling stories. When he told stories, he pretty much painted the picture for you as if you were there,” Colgan said. “He walked into a room and he would light the room up.”

On Thursday, the FBI confirmed that 14 people were killed in the New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street. The attacker is also dead. The New Orleans coroner previously announced 15 deaths but did not provide any identifying information about the deceased.

Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims, but some have been identified by their relatives and people close to them.

Here are the names of the victims and what we’ve come to know so far:

Matthew Tenedorio

Tenedorio, from Slidell, some 30 miles east of New Orleans, was a larger-than-life kind of guy, one of his cousins said.

“He had high hopes of having his own family,” Christina Bounds said. “He’s always cracking jokes. He always had a smile, I mean he smiled more than I did.”

Colgan, one of his other cousins, said Tenedorio couldn’t stay mad – he was happy all the time.

Tenedorio’s cousins remember him as someone who liked playing video games, playing outside, playing sports, skateboarding and going to work.

He worked on the video production team for ASM, the company that manages two major venues in New Orleans — the Caesars Superdome, where the NFL New Orleans Saints play, and the Smoothie King Center, home of the NBA Pelicans — the two teams said in a statement posted on X.

The teams described the 25-year-old as “young, talented,” and with “a bright future.”

Colgan said Tenedorio loved his job, and would always say “I got a cool job!” His cousin got a front-row view of a lot of cool events and would help put them on, he said.

On New Year’s Eve, Tenedorio traveled to New Orleans to ring in 2025 with two friends.

“That night he had dinner with his family, his mom, his dad, his brother and his niece at his brother’s house in Slidell,” Bounds told CNN. “They begged Matthew not to go.”

On Thursday night, Cathy Tenedorio, Matthew’s mother, told CNN that when he was leaving after dinner, she had a message for him.

“I love you. Happy New Year. You know, text me when you get home. Please don’t forget, we’re going to be worried about you,” she said.

But that text never came. His parents later learned why.

After the attack on Bourbon Street began, Tenedorio ran toward the chaos to see if he could help, his parents told CNN, citing friends who were with him.

A coroner told the family he died of a gunshot, Cathy said. CNN cannot independently confirm that a gunshot killed Tenedorio.

“I was wailing. Like we were all screaming and crying … (my grandma) cried for eight hours straight yesterday,” Bounds said. “He was the fun-loving one. Not that anybody deserves this, but he’s the least that we would think this would happen to, you know?”

Now, Cathy Tenedorio is remembering her son as having “the biggest heart.”

“This morning the gravity of the situation really hit home, and I just realized I will never see my son again,” Lou Tenedorio, Matthew’s dad, told CNN. “I just broke down, and honestly, my heart is broken.”

“It’s just so hard for me right now to live with this,” he added.

Edward Pettifer

Edward Pettifer, a 31-year-old British man from London, was the stepson of Prince William’s and Prince Harry’s former nanny, a royal source has told CNN.

King Charles has expressed his sadness about Pettifer’s death. “The King was made aware of Edward’s death through official channels, was deeply saddened, and has been in touch with the family to share personal condolences,” the royal source said.

British media reported that Pettifer was the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke, the princes’ nanny for several years.

Legge-Bourke supported the two young princes after their parents, Charles and Princess Diana, separated and after Diana’s death in 1997.

“Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer,” a post on X, which was signed by Prince William, said. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”

Pettifer was the eldest son of Charles Pettifer, a former army officer, and Camilla Wyatt, the daughter of a racehorse breeder, according to the reports.

The family, who has requested privacy, issued a statement saying, “The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many.”

Family liaison officers with the Metropolitan Police, the police service for the Greater London area, will guide the family through the repatriation of Pettifer’s body, a release from the agency said.

Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux

Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18, was the type of person who’d make it her mission to make someone feel better.

“If you were sad, she would cheer you up, no matter what. She would make that her main goal. She was just amazing, man,” her friend Zion Parsons told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Parsons was on Bourbon Street with Dedeaux when the “giant Ford F150 just came barreling down the road.”

“It barely missed me and her friend and happened to get her,” he said.

They’d come from Gulfport, Mississippi, to celebrate the new year.

Her mother didn’t want her to go.

“When your parents say don’t go anywhere please listen to them … this was an act of terrorism and now my baby is gone y’all,” her mother Melissa Dedeaux wrote on Facebook. “My baby is gone she is no longer with us.”

“No matter how good you are, how sweet you are, you can be the one that’s buried. Things like this can happen,” Melissa Dedeaux told NOLA.com.

She told NOLA.com her daughter graduated from Harrison Central High School in Gulfport last year, and planned to start a nursing program on January 13.

Melissa Dedeaux said her daughter was “the sweetest person” and was very popular.

Parsons said he met Nikyra Dedeaux at a pool party about a year ago and they had become close friends over the last few months.

“We started hanging out a few months ago, and I just, I knew, I saw why people wanted to be around her. She was just so amazing,” Parsons said.

“Nikyra was just the most amazing person. Everybody loved her. She was just so bubbly, so eccentric, just a light to be around,” he said.

Tiger Bech

Tiger Bech, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, was a former Princeton University football player and had been working as a junior trader for capital markets firm Seaport Global Holdings in New York City after graduating in 2021.

Bech was “a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend,” Princeton’s football coach Bob Surace said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old had traveled to his home state for the holidays and was planning to fly back to New York on Wednesday morning, according to his older sister Virginia Bech.

Instead, he was caught up in the deadly attack while on his way back to a hotel with his best friend Ryan Quigley, she said.

Bech died from internal injuries including head trauma hours after the attack, his sister said.

“Happy new year” was the last text message he sent to a family group chat, at 1:30 a.m.

“Evil will not prevail,” Virginia Bech told CNN, describing herself as “heartbroken.”

Quigley, Tiger Bech’s friend, is in a stable condition with severe cuts to the head and a broken leg, the sister said, citing doctors.

Reggie Hunter

Hunter, 37, was a father of two known for his sense of humor, according to his cousin Shirell Robinson Jackson.

Hunter leaves behind his 11-year-old and a 1-year-old, Jackson said.

“He loved his kids. He loved loved loved his family,” Jackson tells CNN.

Hunter loved to laugh and tell jokes, as Jackson described multiple inside jokes the two had. Jackson said she and Hunter talked about going to the gym in the new year together and going to one another’s churches in the new year.

Hunter was a manager at a local warehouse company for several years.

“Reggie was a beautiful person inside and out,” his cousin Travis Hunter told CNN. “To know Reggie was to love Reggie. He was always in a good mood.”

He added Reggie was a great father and a “good, pure-hearted person.”

The Baton Rouge native was at Bourbon Street with another cousin, Kevin Ball, when disaster struck.

Ball, who was injured in the attack, was recovering in the hospital as of Wednesday.

But for Jackson, she never got to see her cousin Hunter alive. She told CNN she identified Hunter’s body at the hospital.

“Not a threat to anyone…he surely didn’t deserve this, none of the victims did. This is the 1st day of 2025 and a punch to the gut,” Jackson wrote on Facebook.

Kareem Badawi

Kareem Badawi, a student from the University of Alabama, was also among the 14 people killed, the school confirmed.

“I learned today that Kareem Badawi, one of our students at The University of Alabama, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans,” university President Stuart R. Bell announced in a statement on Facebook. “I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” he added.

Badawi’s high school, the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, said it would be holding an evening prayer session on Thursday for Badawi and Parker Vidrine, another former student who was injured in the attack. Both Badawi and Vidrine graduated from the high school in 2024.

Hubert Gauthreaux

School officials at Archbishop Shaw High School announced Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, was killed in Wednesday’s truck attack in New Orleans.

“It is with great sorrow that we share that alum Hubert Gauthreaux, Class of 2021, was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence,” the school announced in a Facebook post.

“We are asking the entire Archbishop Shaw family to pray for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family and friends during this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy.”

New Orleans City Council member Helena N. Moreno told CNN she had spent time with Gauthreaux’s family on Wednesday, while they were trying to find him after the attack. She learned about his death later that night.

“I had been sitting with Hubert’s family earlier that day as they were hoping to get information that he had been found in one of the hospitals, and unfortunately, he was here,” she said, pointing to Bourbon Street.

Drew Dauphin

A recent Auburn University graduate, Drew Dauphin, was identified by the school as one of the victims in Wednesday’s attack.

“On behalf of Auburn University, I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin who was taken from us in the New Orleans terror attack,” Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts said in a post on Facebook.

“It’s unbelievable. Who should have to come up with words for this? Our family is suffering more than anyone can imagine,” the Dauphin family said in a statement to CNN.

“Drew lit up every room he entered. His smile was infectious. He had the best personality. We are such a tight family, dependent on each other, friends, family and neighbors,” the statement said.

“We cherish the 26 years that we had with him and raising him will always be one of the greatest joys of our lives. Our family is numb and in shock through this horrific and senseless tragedy.”

Billy DiMaio

Media company Audacy said in a statement to CNN Thursday that it will remember its New York-based account executive Billy DiMaio as a “true asset.”

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Billy DiMaio,” an Audacy spokesperson said. “Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness.”

DiMaio worked at the company for nearly two years starting as an account manager in performance sales, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Audacy said 25-year-old DiMaio’s “contributions and presence will be deeply missed.”

Audacy is a multi-platform audio content and entertainment company, according to its website.

DiMaio was a 2022 graduate of Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, the school said in a release.

“We are devastated by the news of the passing of our alumnus Billy DiMaio ’22. Billy was a leader within our community who shined not only as a star student in the classroom, but also as a top athlete, serving as a Captain on our 2022 championship Lacrosse team,” the school said.

“Our prayers are with the entire DiMaio family at this tragic hour, as our entire College reflects upon the positive impact he had upon so many in our close community.”

Nicole Perez

Mother of a 5-year-old son, 27-year-old Nicole Perez was among those killed on Bourbon Street, according to her family and friends.

“We were talking and laughing … She was so happy always,” her mother Martha Perez told CNN. “Now (I) miss her. She’s never (coming) back with me.”

Perez was last seen by her family during dinner Tuesday night talking and laughing before she went out with friends to celebrate the New Year on Bourbon Street, her mother said. Martha Perez received a call from one of her friends that her daughter was hurt and being taken to the hospital, but she never made it.

Perez’s family said her son was still unaware of his mother’s death and they were trying to find a way to break the news to the young boy, possibly with the help of a psychologist.

“We don’t know how to tell him, it’s heartbreaking,” her sister Jessica Carvajal said.

Perez, who was recently promoted to manager at a deli and walked to work every morning at 5:30 a.m., always wanted to learn more, Carvajal said, adding her younger sister hoped to get into the cosmetology business in the future.

Perez’s uncle, Raul Perez, said she was “an example of a hardworking person going through the roughest times in her life.”

“She was honestly a loving and caring person. Very dedicated to her job, very dedicated to her son,” he said. “She works so hard even throughout all adversities that she has faced and the challenges.”

Elliot Wilkinson

Elliot Wilkinson, 40, loved the city of New Orleans and couldn’t see himself anywhere else, his brother Cecil Wilkinson told CNN.

“He was a good-hearted person, and he loved the city of New Orleans and always talked about going back. He had a hard life,” his brother said.

Wilkinson, who’s originally from Slidell had recently been released from prison and was living on the streets before he was tragically killed Wednesday morning, his brother said.

“He recently got out of prison and had problems with mental illness. He could’ve stayed with me, our sister or mother but he never wanted to be a burden to the family, so he went back to New Orleans.”

Wilkinson’s brother found out about his death when he received a call from the coroner’s office Thursday morning, he told CNN.

“To my little brother Elliot Wilkinson, you was loved and you will truly be missed,” Wilkinson’s brother wrote on Facebook. “I know life was hard for you at times. But I wasn’t expecting to get the phone call…you was one of them that got hit in New Orleans in the French Quarter.”

Wilkinson leaves behind his mother, brother, sister, and a daughter.

Terrence ‘Terry’ Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy posted a plea Thursday morning to help find her brother Terrence “Terry” Kennedy, 63, who’d been celebrating on Bourbon Street and was missing after the January 1 attack.

That night she shared a tragic update.

“My brother Terry Is Gone,” she wrote on Facebook.

His sisters, Jacqueline and LaTonya Kennedy, told CNN affiliate WDSU the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Officer had called to inform them that he was one of the victims.

Jacqueline Kennedy told WDSU she’d talked to her brother before the attack.

“He told me he was on Bourbon Street, and we wished each other a happy new year. We told each other we loved each other,” she told WDSU. “I said, ‘Terry, be careful out there,’ and he said, ‘You know me, I’m going to be alright.’”

Terry was one of nine siblings and loved the city of New Orleans, WDSU reported.

He was the life of the party, she said.

“He had his own way, being comical, you know, but he was so loving and kind. You could get him to do anything. I’m going to miss my brother,” his sister said.

Brandon Taylor

Brandon Taylor was identified as one of the victims by the Orleans Parish coroner, confirmed by his fiancé Heather Genusa, who wrote on Facebook this week that her life will never be the same.

“I’m devastated and this was such a tragedy,” Genusa posted on Thursday. “I’ll never forget this unimaginable occurrence. I’m heartbroken and destroyed. The love of my life is gone. God be with me.”

CNN has reached out to Genusa, but has not heard back.

“My life is completely devastated and I lost the love of my life,” Genusa wrote in her post. “In a moment it was all changed. I need prayer. This tragedy is absolutely heart breaking and I feel absolutely broken. My life will never be the same without you Brandon Taylor. I never met another human like you. Unique in every way. No words could bear the pain I’m in from losing you. Please watch over me.”

The injured

Among the dozens injured were two female college students, Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson, both 19 and alumni of Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida, according to school.

Eisele attends the University of Georgia while Idelson goes to San Diego State University.

“The Eisele and Idelson families are deeply grateful for the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and offers of support for our daughters following the tragic attack in New Orleans,” Canterbury said in a statement on behalf of the families to CNN.

The families also thanked medical staff and first responders for their care and swift actions.

At least two Mexican citizens were among the injured in the New Orleans attack, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack, expressing her “solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people of the United States.”

Two Israeli citizens were injured in the attack, according to Israel’s foreign ministry.

CNN’s Max Foster and Isaac Yee contributed to this report.

UPDATE: An earlier version of this story included the attacker in the number of people killed. At least 14 people were killed. The attacker is also dead.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Reggie Hunter’s family was able to see him at the hospital before he died.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.