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Selena, Ritchie Valens, and more celebrities that died young

This week saw the deaths of Lee Jihan and Takeoff, two young celebrities involved in unexpected tragedies.


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
NOVEMBER 2, 2022 2:53 PM EDT

This week has been one plagued by unexpected tragedies.

Lee Jihan, a young K-pop star, died in a Halloween crowd surge in Itaewon, Seoul. Takeoff, one-third of the popular rap group Migos, was killed in a shooting. Both deaths have rattled the entertainment industry, from the east to the west, as these events tend to do, especially when the victims are young and their work is full of promise and unrealized potential.

Lee Jihan© Courtesy of 935 Entertainment

Lee Jihan

Jihan was one of the victims of the Halloween tragedy in Seoul. He was one of over 150 victims and was 24 years old. His death was confirmed by his agency, who shared a tribute post on Sunday. Jihan appeared in the talent show “Produce 101” and starred in the high school series “Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.”

Spotify's RapCaviar Live© GettyImages

Takeoff

Takeoff, whose given name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, died of an errant gunshot wound. He was 28 years old and his death was mourned by various members of the entertainment industry.

Selena Quintanilla Receives Grammy Award.© GettyImages

Selena Quintanilla

Selena Quintanilla died when she was 23 years old. The Texan superstar and Mexican-American icon was killed by Yolanda Saldivar, the president of her fan club.

City Burlesque - Launch Party© GettyImages

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was one of the greatest talents of all time, known for her amazing voice and soul-baring lyrics. She struggled with addiction over the course of her life, and died at 27 years old, due to alcohol poisoning.

Screening Of Dreamworks Pictures' "Fright Night" - Red Carpet© GettyImages

Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin was a beloved young actor, having worked with Kristen Stewart, Felicity Jones, Donald Sutherland and more over the course of his career. He died when he was 27, in a freak accident, when his parked car rolled backward on his driveway.

Heath Ledger Photo Session on June 9, 2000© GettyImages

Heath Ledger

28-year-old Heath Ledger died in 2008 after an accidental drug overdose. He’s remembered as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors and one of the few to win an Academy Award posthumously.

River Phoenix In 'Sneakers'© GettyImages

River Phoenix

River Phoenix died when he was 23 years old from a combined drug intoxication. He is the brother of Joaquin Phoenix. In 2020, Joaquin had a son with Rooney Mara and named him River.

Ritchie Valens Portrait Session© GettyImages

Ritchie Valens

Ritchie Valens was a rock and roll icon and a pioneer for Mexican and Latino musicians. He died in a plane crash alongside musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson.