Image from dailyfreeman.com
Twilight fans and actors unite in mourning over the tragic death of 53 year old Gisela Gagliardi. The self-professed “Twihard”, as hardcore Twilight fans are called, was killed at San Diego’s Comic-Con on Tuesday after being hit by a car. Gagliardi was crossing the street to secure a place in line at the San Diego Convention Center when she noticed a Subaru Outback SUV barreling towards her. She attempted to jump out of the way, but tripped and hit her head against the side of the vehicle as it zoomed past. She was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Witnesses say the stop light had been red at the time of her crossing.
Gagliardi had been standing in line since Sunday, according to people in attendance that saw her. She was waiting in anticipation for a panel that was going to discuss the movie “Breaking Dawn Part 2”, the final installment of the popular Twilight Saga. Gagliardi was a huge fan of the books and the movies, and a picture of her with Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen, can be seen on her Facebook page. This would have been the 4th Comic-Con event that Gagliardi attended.
Fellow Twihards and the actors of the popular franchise took to Twitter to mourn the loss of a beloved friend and fan. Actress Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen, said, “”I’m so sorry to hear the devastating news about Gisela G. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.” Nikki Reed tweeted, “”This is horrible. So sad. I’m speechless.” Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone were also among the Twilight actors that paid their respects to Gisela Gagliardi via Twitter. The Twilight community used hashtags “#RIPTwifanG” or “#RIPTwihardG” in remembrance of Gagliardi. The film’s producers at Lionsgate and Summit released a statement regarding the incident: “The entire Twilight community [is] saddened by the death of a Comic-Con fan today due to a traffic accident during the hours leading up to this year’s convention in San Diego.”
Police say the 67-year-old who was driving the vehicle that hit Gagliardi is cooperating and at this time will not be charged, but everything is still under investigation. Fans have started a donation site to aid in funeral expenses and Comic-Con is set to hold a memorial today in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center.
