Ren Flow Has Died

 

It was announced yesterday, Sunday April 12, that Ren Flow of the Relay for Life had passed away.

Sad news Ren Flow has passed away
Co-founder of the Roos With A Dream RFL team, wife of Alison and Kayla Flow and co-mother of little Patty Flow, Ren Flow, aka Ninja Chef Lady Ren Flow, passed away in her home on Friday April 10.

Ren was a dedicated relayer and got her greatest joy from helping others. She will be mightily missed.

Memorial service TBA

 

Cassie Fairelander Has Passed Away

 

Oldesoul has given us the sad honor to communicate news that we would have never wanted to share.

It is with infinite sadness that we have to announce the sudden passing of Cassie Fairelander (Eldemar), Olde’s lifetime companion both in real life and second life, on January 31st 2026.

We all know of her infinite talent and creativity, as well as kindness and devotion to charitable causes.

But for many, Cassie was a friend, a gentle soul with whom it was nice to chat and spend time.

Her passing creates an abyss in many lives, and she will be missed deeply.

Oldesoul has asked that all condolences and inquiries be directed to either Liz Wilner or Wildstar Beaumont at this time, and until the private RL funeral for Cassie has occurred. 

Our love to Oldesoul.

Information on how to honor Cassie will be shared in the next few days

Liz Wilner and Wildstar Beaumont

 

From the Relay for Life Volunteers Group
 

In Passing: Josiane Auster, Crito Galtier, Beccca Baxton

 

As we close out 2025, sad to say one of our final articles for the year is of three people who recently passed away or it was just confirmed they passed away.

 

One was Josiane Auster (Josiane Llewellyn) of the Freda's Place writers' group

 

 I'm sorry to tell you all that Josiane Auster, a long-time friend of Freda Frostbite's, burlesque dancer and resident of Freda's Village, passed away on Aug. 29, 2025, her 18th Rez Day. 

 

The person announcing her passing went on to say a memorial exhibition of pictures of her experiences inworld was being put together, "You are invited to the Grand Opening on Jan. 4, 2026 at 1 pm SLT. " It will be in the Seeking Wisdom sim.

 

In the Relay for Life Volunteers group, Selene mentioned Crito Galtier had recently died. 

 

"... we have lost another Relayer.  One who was a great designer, decorater and one who always thought outside the box.  He was one that organized with a children's hospital so the kids could see the live singers in world sang disney songs for a relay event.   It was amazing.  ...  he will be greatly missed."

 

 It was also announced that singer Beccca Baxton had died. 

 

With profond sadness (we) share the passing of Beccca Baxton on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025. 

A long-time SL singer, Beccca's voice, spirit, and kindness touched countless hearts across the grid.

Following a glioblastoma diagnosis in November, Beccca's journey was surrounded by love.

Our hearts are with her daughter Lily, family, friends, and the SL music community.

Beccca loved to sing, bring warmth and laughter to every venue she graced.

Even through challenges she continued to give selflessly through her music.

A devoted mother, cherished friend, and a true light whose voice and love created unforgettable memories.

She will be deeply missed and always remembered.  

 

It was also announced Dillian Michaels (dillianm) made a memorial for her, and set it up at his club, "It is beautiful and sweet and you can click a candle and leave a message." It is located at Katanga (55/155/3002). 

 

Rest in peace,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Luna Lunaria Has Died

 

The Newser has been informed that Luna Lunaria (apelles.luna) has passed away. She was known as a builder and writer. 

 

From her profile: 

 

find each of you to be so beautiful in so many ways, it is beyond words. Thank you for making virtual so rich. Much love to you all :-)

Spiritual seeker, writer, and creator / merchant on Wolf Territories Grid, Kitely Grid, Utopia Skye, Digiworldz, and Second Life, with smaller presences on Mobius Grid, Friends Grid, OSGrid, and others. Creator of Lunaria Emporium and Luxor, among others.

I am currently involved in projects outside of SL, but I do try to come in once or twice a week. If you leave a message I will see it and respond the next time I'm on. All my new work is being done in opensim on a grid called Wolf territories and is much better and larger than anything I can make here. Here is their website: https://www.wolf-grid.com/. My regions there are Lunaria Emporium and Luxor.

Luna had also written a story, which can be read here - https://www.wattpad.com/story/176823549-eos-renascent 

 

No word yet on when any services will be held.

 

Rest in peace

 

Announcement: Crim Mip Has Passed, Memorial TBA

 

Crim Mip, known in the real world as Karl Meyer, was a person whose ripples extended to many ponds. From the Memphis Furmeet, the MLP community (Trotsdale, Nisa, Ibex Empire, etc), the spiritual and Pagan community (Arashiryuu Yashiro, Practicing Magic for a time, and others), the SL boating and aeronautics communities… and others I probably don’t know of as he was very active.

I first met him in Nisa while exploring, seeking my home in the Second Life’s MLP community. There I met many others in a heavily mythologically influenced sim. The Nisean sim grouping, with Crim Mip as one of the several co-owners, grew to a landmass of Nisa, Thessalia, Exmoor, The Ibex Empire (aka Ibexia), Los Qwhilla, Qwhildrasil, and many other locations of the rp world. For a time this landmass resided north of – and joined to – Trotsdale. Later, Trotsdale eventually moved to join Neighberry’s landmass, before Nisa finally became Dreaming Twilight and moved instead to reside in a plot in Ontario due to funding.

Crim is/was the second of the strongest pillars of the Dreaming Twilight. Now another of the trees of the sacred grove has lost its leaves, reminding us of how tightly Life and Death are interwoven.

Crim leaves behind a loving girlfriend, Karla Voilpa, the remaining members of the Dreaming Twilight and Arashiryuu Yashiro groups, his real life friends and relatives… and countless members of the many communities he was part of.

He will be missed. He is loved. He is gone… Yet he now blows in the wind, creeps in the vines, falls from the sky in raindrops, dances in the tides of the sea, and warms us in our hearths.

 

Our thoughts are with all his loved ones. The Dreaming Twilight will continue. The memories will be maintained.

Please contact Amehana Arashi (Amehana Ishtari), Oscelot Halaan, and KariaKae Karu for more info.

You can also join the Dreaming Twilight [ secondlife:///app/group/c20ee681-8a58-6d0b-4f84-03c7aeece461/about ] and Arashiryuu Yashiro [ secondlife:///app/group/b6fef2dc-b13f-6da5-3561-7b3bc92efd07/about ] groups to be notified of any upcoming planned events and sporadic gatherings.

There will be an in-world memorial at the Dreaming Twilight plot

Date: To Be Announced

Time: To Be Announced

Pool of Life Url: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ontario/179/158/56 With the graves of our other departed

---
 

I'll send a picture of his MLP character as well when we have the memorial scheduled. I need to look through several disk drives to find those photos.

Teresa Garcia AKA Amehana Arashi
Owner/Operator of THG StarDragon Publishing
TeresaAmehanaGarcia@gmail.com 

Breaking News: Crim Mip Has Died

 

The Newser has been informed resident Crim Mip has passed away. His partner Kari (KariaKae Karu) stated he was found deceased yesterday, Thursday September 11. The exact time and cause is still unknown. He was 62 in real life. 

 

Crim has been in Second Life since January 2007.  He was the real life and SL partner of Lacy Musketeer until her passing in July 2019. In October 2023, he would marry Kari. He was a resident of the Roshaven community, and more recently Wooburn. In the past, he was a DJ at the Sunweaver's Club Cutlass. 

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

*Correction:* Earlier it wasn't known Crim had recently gotten a place at Wooburn. or his RL age.  

More on Mal Burns' Passing

It's been a couple days since word began going around about Mal Burns, who has been writing and doing videos about Second Life and other virtual worlds, suddenly passing away. The cause of death is not yet widely known, though the first few people who found out kept quiet about it for a short time until his family in England were contacted. 

 

It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing the news that our dearest Mal Burns has passed away this week.

 

He has been a cherished friend, trusted colleague, and a vibrant voice in our virtual and real life community for over 20 years.

 

We met through a shared passion for virtual worlds, and that connection blossomed into decades of collaboration, camaraderie, and friendship. 

 

Mal was an avid reporter, an insightful storyteller, and a tireless advocate for truth in all its digital forms. His work helped shape how many experienced and understood online spaces — always with integrity, always with flair.

 

For two decades, we shared laughter, many conversations, and a passion for exploring both the fun and serious sides of life — especially in the evolving landscapes of virtual worlds. He was more than just a show host or fellow journalist; he was a pioneer, a storyteller, and a sharp observer of the digital age.

He had that rare gift — the ability to make you laugh with his wonderful humour even when the subject was complex or challenging. 

 

He brought so many people together, sparked meaningful dialogue, and gave voice to stories that might have otherwise gone unheard. His dedication to journalism and his unrelenting curiosity helped shape the way many of us see and understand virtual communities.

 

His absence leaves a space that words can hardly fill. But the legacy he leaves behind — in friendships, in stories, and in the memories we carry — will continue to inspire.

 

Rest well, my wonderful Grumpy Old Avatar, my Metaverse TV colleague, My Metameets buddy and my dear funny friend. Thank you for the years, the wisdom, the laughter, and the journey.

 

There were numerous comments on Facebook and some in Discord expressing sadness at his passing, some in a new Facebook group "Friends of Mal."

 

"I am broken hearted with the loss of such a wonderful and charming man. He was so much fun to work with, funny and patient. I very much enjoyed working with him and talking with him and joining him on Inworld Review. My condolences to his family and close friends may God grant you peace and comfort in this time of loss and sadness. Blessings and much love to all." 

 

"Incredibly sad to hear you have passed away. I hope you are at peace . We never know what to say truly in times like this but rest well. Condolences to those that knew you so much more." 

 

"I am devastated. I loved and respected Mal, and I will miss his friendship and spending time with him, as we all will. ... I am honored to have photographed him and had the opportunity to know him. It's a lot, and there are many more, as I enjoyed taking photos of him. I couldn't narrow it down any further, so here they are. Rest in Peace, Dear Friend. Until we meet again." 

 

"I just learned of Mal’s passing and it truly feels like the light in SL has gotten a little bit dimmer. He was a constant source of inspiration during the many years I was part of large events. He was a thoughtful and encouraging man who was a shining force all his own. Rest well, Sir, you have earned it."

 

"I am sorry, Mal Burns passed away. A voice unmistakable among all, a considerable and inexhaustible flow of words. A burst of laughter, frank and infectious. An endearing personality, mixing curiosity, humor and sharing. The OpenSim community will miss him so much; he put so much energy and investment into it; it's a great loss for all of us. My condolences to all his loved ones, as well as to the HIE team." 

 

"This breaks my heart, he was such a wonderful and charming personality, intelligent and funny and always interested in what people are doing to make Opensim an enjoyable and educational place to be. He will be greatly missed and forever loved. My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones."

 

"I will miss his infectious wit and candor. A long standing fixture in the opensim and a few other communities, he was always a gentleman and diplomat. Mal's voice and presence set a good example of how we could engage and inspire each other, to create freely and try our best, to be collaborative, and share openly. Of course he will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Safe paths, my friend." 

 

"Here in Craft-World we are deeply saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of Mal Burns, a cherished figure for all the OpenSimulator community and the voice behind the long-running YouTube talk show Inworld Review.Mal was a passionate advocate for the open metaverse. Through Inworld Review, he brought together voices from across OpenSim - creators, developers, dreamers - giving space to dialogue, inspiration, and that friendship spirit that makes OpenSim a special place. His commitment to documenting and discussing the evolution of virtual worlds made him a cornerstone of our shared digital culture....His presence, insight, and dedication will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and to all who knew him and collaborated with him. The entire Craft-World team, and the broader OpenSim community, mourn his loss. Farewell, Mal. Thank you for everything you gave us. The metaverse is quieter without you."

 

Mal had been the main host of the Youtube broadcast "Inworld Review." July 13 would be the first show without him, and the people did it in his honor.

 

Rest in Peace

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Breaking News: Mal Burns (Malburns Writer) Has Reportedly Died

Some sad news for those for fans of Mal Burns, known as Malburns Writer in Second Life. Word has been going around today that he has suddenly passed away.

 

Mal was not known to be in ill health, and last posted on his Facebook in June, his last Youtube being on June 22. As of the writing of this article, his Discord icon shows while inactive, his computer remains on and connected to the Internet. 

 

Mal wrote about Second Life much in the early 2010s, since then moving on to virtual worlds in general, but still occasionally touching on SL. 

 

Stay tuned for more information.

 

Hat tip: Oldesoul Fairelander 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Club Owner Jodi Eyre Has Died

 

The Newser has been informed by one of her employees that Jodi Eyre, the owner and founder of the Busty Belles club has passed away. "She made everyone feel welcomed and loved," Frost Beam (JD013 Resident) told. He stated she had died in the hospital while undergoing surgery for a brain tumor, :"even though she had that and the illness, she still got on to make sure everyone was happy and felt welcomed."

Jodi had been in Second Life since 2009. Busty Belles has been around for about five years.  

 

Kara Foxdale, SL Tarot Reader, Has Died

 

The Newser recently learned that SL resident, Kara Foxdale, has passed away. Grease Coakes delivered the news in a Discord chatroom, "Sadly I just learned that the real life Kara behind the SL account Kara Foxdale passed away recently." He described her as being of poor health.

 

When he was writing for the Newser, Grease would write about Kara several years ago, as a club owner, as well as a tarot card reader. He would join the club as a DJ, and help her with the readings.

Kimberley Alice (Kim) of Kim's Kreations Has Died

 

Last week, it was announced that Kim (kimberleyalice1961 Resident), the woman behind the Kim's Kreations store, had passed away. The news was announced on Monday June 10.

Kim (sweet and generous Kim) has passed away due to cancer. From her husband: "I am so sorry to confirm what many of you have learned today.  Last night one of the most beautiful people on the planet left us forever. I lost my best friend ever.  I wish there was something i could do to fix the hurt and heartache we all feel." 

Bellisseria chat had a number of people expressing their condolences, "She was a beautiful person." "I wish I could help her surviving hubby." "So many beauitiful things in her shop, she helped me many times, more than I can remember." "May Kim rest in peace." "Such a great person. Cancer is so unfair."

As stated, Kim's store is still up, at Mieville Kipling (32/136/26).

Rest in peace.

Bixyl Shuftan

Remembering Zorro

 

It was almost a week ago on June 11 when the Sunweaver community found out one of it's own, Zorru Wurramunga, had passed away.  Soon after, this picture of him was placed at the community's main club, Cutlass, next to the dancing pole he sometimes used. 

On Friday June 14, the party was dedicated in his honor, with a few Sunbeamers who hadn't been at the club in months showing up. 

At the memorial to departed Sunweavers at Sunweaver Eclipse, a candle to Zorro had been set up. People left tributes, including a bottle of pirate's rum. One can see it at Sunweaver Eclipse (67/241/21)

Rest in peace, our fisher metal fox

Bixyl Shuftan

Breaking News: Zorro Wuramunga Has Died

 

There was some sad news from Rita Mariner to the members of the Sunweaver community today. Zorro Wuramunga had passed away. 

SAD INFORMATION ON ZORRO WURAMUNGA

It is with a heavy heart I must report on the death of Zorro. Shockwave Yareach asked the local police to do a welfare check, on Zorro. The police found him dead, in his apartment. That is all we know, at present.

Zorro had last logged in on April 21. He had been a resident of Second Life since December 2007.

Zorro was best known in the Sunweaver community, of which he had been with for about fifteen years. He often acted a bit cantankerous. But had a sense of humor and was willing to take a joke, sometimes joking himself. He would often have a fishing game rod in his hand, giving him the nickname "The fisher fox." He would send the Newser a couple reader submissions, and be in a number of screenshot cartoons. He was also in the Relay for Life's Passionate Redheads team, and then the Sunbeamers.

Over a year ago, Zorro was injured in a car accident. He wasn't quite the same afterwards. It's possible that contributed to his passing. We don't know. 

His profile was largely blank, except for, "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Rest in peace.

Bixyl Shuftan

Smoke Texan, Part Owner of 9/11 Memorial, Has Died

 

 It was announced in the Echovets group in Second Life that Smoke Texan had recently passed away.

 

We lost a brother.... Many of you know that Smoke Texan passed away last week on May 2nd. Smoke served in the U.S. Marine Corps with honor. He was also a 9/11 rescue worker. His longtime partner Foxxy (Checkers.firelight) has started working on a memorial service in memory of, and in honor of his life.

Smoke Texan was among the people who was helping to keep the Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial up after it's owner passed away. He also made a 9/11 memorial track in 2019. In group chatter, it was also mentioned he was a DJ at some clubs. Echovets leader Stacy Lee (Stacy Maracas) would say, "He and Foxxy were apart of us when we first started.  He was a good dude, and a good brother.  They will be keeping his 9/11 honor sim up and running in his memory." 

There will be a memorial service for him soon.

Bixyl Shuftan

In Passing: Arabella Cinquetti, Kei Haru Paws

Sadly, just as death is a part of life, there comes a day when residents of this virtual world go on to "Third Life." And the Newser recently heard about two residents who sadly met their end.

 

A reliable source recently told the Newser that Arabella Cinquetti, the owner of Lightening Video, had recently passed away. She had gotten the news via a notecard next to her store.

It is with sad news that I share with you all the passing of Arabella Cinquetti, owner of Lightening Video. Ara passes awat surrounded by family. She had been sick for a long time, but her heart couldn't take it any more. She will be missed here in Second Life.

 

The store and the sim were closed on March 15. As to what this means for the store's videos, the servers remain up, but only for a little longer. They are due to close on April 10. For theaters and home theaters with her products, it is unclear what will happen. They may no longer work, or continue to do so until they eventually break. 

*  *  *  *  *

The Newser was also informed Kei Haru Paws (dante184) had passed away. The cause of death was cancer. He was 31 years old.

*  *  *  *  *

Earlier this month, the Newser reported on the passing of Sylys Sable. He would have a memorial service done in real life, a video of which was made available (click here).

*  *  *  *  *

While not a Second Life resident, Draxtor Despress mentioned the passing of someone who had been on SL media. He recently stated that science-fiction writer Vernor Vinge had passed away. Vinge had appeared on Drax's radio show "The Drax Files" in March 2016 to discuss his sci-fi novel "Rainbow's End," in which cyperspace and virtual reality figure prominently. 

 

 Rest in peace

Bixyl Shuftan

Sylys Sable (Sylys Weezles) Has Died.

 

Some sad news for the Angels community, the Happy Vixen, and a number of other clubs. Sylys Sable (account name Sylys Weezles), has passed away. He died in late February of liver cancer. 

Sylys came to Second Life in May 2008.  His profile listed his main appearance as an anthro pine martin, but had multiple avatars, "sometimes I'm a phoenix, sometimes I'm a gryphon." He appeared at the Happy Vixen a number of times, standing out in his avian avatars. He described himself as a "club hopper," and was in the groups of a number of others, such as Club Furzona and The Ark. 

In real life, he was Mark Merlino. His wikifur entry describes him as a founding member of the furry fandom, cofounder of one of the first furry cons, Confurence, in 1989. In early February this year, during a hospital exam it was discovered he had Stage Four liver cancer. He died a few weeks later. He was 71 years old. 

 

Sylys had a Flickr page , and was known on Furaffinity as Sysable

Rest in peace,

Bixyl Shuftan

Addition: A recording was done of a memorial service to Sylys (click here)

Lorivonne Lustre/Lorraine Mockford of VWBPE Has Died

 

Some sad news for the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) group in Second Life. Lorivonne Lustre, also known as Lorraine Mockford or just LV, has passed away.

 

 On Friday, February 2, 2024, Lorraine Mockford (LV / Lorivonne Lustre) passed away. Lorraine has blessed the educational community and numerous charitable organizations within Second Life for over 17 years. Her involvement in Second Life and Open Simulator extended to numerous organizations including Virtual Abilities Inc., Nonprofit Commons, SL Midwives, and Rockcliffe University Consortium, which runs the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference. 

Lorraine was part of the original organizing committee for the Second Life Best Practices in Education conference in 2007. Since 2009, she has been an instrumental Director of the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education including Communications and Programs.

We are all saddened by the loss of a beautiful soul that was taken far too soon.

More information from the family and an in-world celebration of life will be coming soon.

There will be an open memorial to LV on Thursday February 8 at Rockcliffe Village. It will take place at 11 AM and again at 5PM. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Village (181/157/1728). The event is organized by the VWBPE Organizational Committee.

Hat tip: Bevan Whitfield

Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted: Remembering Allian Blackwell

 

Earlier this week, the Second Life Coast Guard announced the passing of Allian Blackwell. She was a number of things, a supporter of the Relay for Life, someone's partner, and a Commandant of the SLCG. Jaun Boucher, an officer of the Coast Guard, sent the Newser an article describing who she was and what she did here in Second Life.

 

Read Jaun's reader submission in  People.

FrannyDJ's Memorial Parade

 

Longtime readers may remember FrannyDJ as being the creative spirit behind some script-run parades in Second Life, from Mardi Gras to Thanksgiving themed. Sadly, she has passed away. In February, she died of Covid. Gemma Cleansalte, who wrote the most about her over the years, attened a parade in her honor.

Read Gemma's story in Events.

 

Xzavia Yifu's Memorial Service

 

On February 1, Xzavia Yifu passed away, the news not reaching Second Life until two weeks later. On Saturday March 11, there was a memorial service in her honor. There was much spoken about the content creator who had a following in Mieville, Raglan, and other places, people coming to pay their respects. 

 

Read the story in People.