Teen’s sudden death leaves community reeling
EDMONTON A Drayton Valley family is in mourning after the sudden death of a teenage girl found unconscious in a running vehicle early Thursday.
Mounties found 16-year- old Shaina Ridenour and a 17-yearold boy in a running vehicle in the town southwest of Edmonton, a family member said. She was rushed to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
In a message Friday to Postmedia, Ridenour’s sister, Breyanna Ridenour, wrote her family is still unsure of exactly what happened, but investigators told them carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.
She said her little sister went by the nickname “Snoop” and was a “little fire cracker.”
“She was so fun and loving,” she wrote. “She had no filter and we loved her for it. She was the (centre) of our family we are all very close, so this loss has hit us so hard.”
Shaina Ridenour, a student at Drayton Valley Community Outreach School, leaves behind two brothers and five sisters. The 17-year-old boy, who attended Frank Maddock High School, was in critical condition in hospital, RCMP said in a news release Friday
Mounties came across a parked vehicle with the engine running while responding to an unrelated call near 54 Street and 24 Avenue around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. When officers found Shaina Ridenour and the 17-year-old driver unconscious, they called fire and ambulance to the scene, noting a “strong odour” of exhaust fumes from inside the vehicle, said an RCMP news release Friday.
She was later pronounced dead in hospital while the 17-year-old was airlifted to Edmonton hospital in critical condition.
No foul play is suspected, say police, adding a mechanical inspection of the vehicle is scheduled for Dec. 27.
A Thursday news release from the Wildrose School Division said the two were students in the division and that resources were being provided to help classmates grieve.
“Our school is like a family and I know this hurts us all,” said Drayton Valley Community Outreach School principal Kim Desmarais in the release. “Together, we will support each other as we grieve.”
The Wild Rose School Division crisis management team, family wellness workers and the community school resource officer are providing support to staff and students, the release said.
“Words can’t do justice for how our school body is feeling right now,” said Frank Maddock High School principal Shelly Cloke in the release. “I know our school and community will support everyone and help each other get through this terrible time.”
Breyanna Ridenour said her sister loved playing rugby, and the two would ride horses together. She also enjoyed camping and riding quads with family in the summer time.
Drayton Valley is about 144 km southwest of Edmonton.