Tragedy has struck a Lafayette family vacationing in South Africa to attend the World Cup — STM alumna Nicole Murphy, daughter of Dr. Danny and Charlene Murphy, was struck and killed by a car. The Independent has learned that Murphy’s brother, Brian, also was critically injured in the incident. Dr. Murphy is an ER physician and deputy coroner; a colleague of his at the Lafayette Coroner’s Office confirmed Nicole Murphy’s death Wednesday afternoon. Details on the tragedy remain sketchy, and we’ll update this story as more information becomes available. Martin & Castille Funeral Home, which the coroner’s office indicated would handle Nicole Murphy’s funeral, had no further information.
A 2008 honor graduate of the University of Tampa, Nicole Murphy was a standout defender on the school’s soccer team and was named a 2007 All-Sunshine State Conference player. She had just completed her second year of med school at LSU in New Orleans.
This is what I heard from a mutual friend (Nicole was my ex)...Apparently she was in South Africa for the World Cup with her family for a week. Last night while walking home in the common ground area of the street, a drunk driver hit her sister, brother and herself and proceeded to drive off. Her sister has a minor concussion and was released from the hospital this morning, but her brother is still in ICU and has a head injury with some brain swelling. Doctors are not really sure of the effects of the head injury but they believe that he will be find and should be released in about two weeks. Nicole ended up passing away.
... written by Lisa Blackburn , June 17, 2010 - 01:05 pm
How horrible! My heart goes out to this family.
... written by Lou Rom on KVOL , June 17, 2010 - 11:30 pm
Didn't President Mandela's great-grandaughter die in a car wreck the day the World Cup opened? Damn, that is sad. I feel for the family. I sure won't be planning any vacations to South Africa. Hell, even Brazil cleaned up Rio in time for the Earth Summit in 1992.
... written by Rage Player , July 07, 2010 - 08:37 am
I played soccer with her younger sister Danielle. When the news of what had happend reached us the whole community was devestated. STM held a prayer meeting for the family, and a parent of one of the girls on my team set up an online fund where people could donate money in order to help the family airlift Brian back home. This is extremely expensive, somewhere in the ballpark of $400,000. This family needs your prayers and support. Rest in peace Nicole.
... written by Rage Player , July 07, 2010 - 08:43 am
To help with the cost to cover the medical expenses the family has set up a Murphy Family Support Fund.
Contributions can be dropped off at any Home Bank location or mailed to:
Home Bank Account #: 2057873802 Attn: Murphy Family Support Fund P.O. Box 81459 Lafayette, LA 70598
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