Screenshot by way of YouTube/WKMG
Because the information of Tyre Sampson fatally falling from an Orlando amusement park journey gripped headlines final week, Shay Johnson wasted no time speaking to the press concerning the closing moments of the 14-year-old boy she described as her cousin.
In interviews with CNN and native Florida shops, Johnson recounted a telephone dialog with Sampson simply earlier than the March 24 tragedy. Throughout a quick name, she stated, Sampson was upset that he had been rejected from different sides on the ICON Park in Florida for being “too large”—and was excited the 430-foot FreeFall journey was lastly granting him entry.
“He known as me, he say, ‘They let me journey. I can journey. I can journey,’” she advised CNN. “I didn’t know it will be my final time speaking to him alive. He simply needed to journey and have a very good time.”
However Sampson’s household is now insisting the lady who claimed to be the teenager’s cousin is just not associated to them in any respect—and have reported the alleged false identification to the police. In the meantime, an investigation by the Orlando Sentinel concluded that Shay Johnson might not even be the 32-year-old’s actual title.
Robert Hilliard, an legal professional representing the Sampson household, confirmed to The Every day Beast on Friday that the “household doesn’t know her” and that it was “distressing” to them that somebody would possibly “try and capitalize on their tragedy.” The girl figuring out herself as Johnson didn't instantly reply to The Every day Beast’s request for remark.
The Orange County Sheriff’s division confirmed that Sampson’s mom contacted them after Johnson spoke throughout a prayer vigil and protest to get the journey demolished, and that she had insisted they weren't associated.
“Our detectives have appeared into this and spoken with Tyre Sampson's mom,” a sheriff’s spokesperson advised The Every day Beast on Friday. “His mom advised them she doesn't know who Shay Johnson is. There isn't a report. At this level, they haven't any proof of a criminal offense.”
The lawyer added that Sampson’s mother and father weren't giving interviews as they ready for the St. Louis teen’s funeral and had not but made up their thoughts about urgent for potential expenses.
“Undecided being a pathetic publicity hound who spins tales is a criminal offense,” Hilliard added.
The allegations symbolize simply the most recent in a collection of heartbreaks for the teenager’s household after his deadly fall throughout a spring break journey. Initially from Missouri, authorities say Sampson was amongst 30 thrill-seekers who participated within the Free Fall journey when he fell in a catastrophe captured on video.
The journey, billed as “the tallest free-standing drop tower on this planet,” had riders spiral round a pole as they climbed greater than 400 ft earlier than being turned to face the bottom—and plummeting down at round 75 miles per hour, in line with the ICON web site.
Yarnell Sampson, the teenager’s father, advised WOFL final week that his son knew he was in peril as he was climbing the journey and was “panicking when he was going up.”
“He was explaining to his pal subsequent to him, ‘I don’t know, man. If I don’t make it down, please inform my Mother and Daddy I like them.’ For him to say one thing like that, he should have felt one thing,” the elder Sampson advised the outlet.
The daddy’s description of his son’s worry appeared to line up with what a girl advised a 911 operator simply after the tragic fall. In a transcript obtained by the Every day Mail, a girl claimed Tyre had not been secured in his seat previous to the slip.
“They didn’t safe the seatbelt on him,” she stated. He was additionally respiratory simply after the autumn, she stated, however as a result of he had fallen on his abdomen, nobody might carry out CPR. An accident report later concluded that the harness on Sampson’s seat was nonetheless locked after the journey got here to a cease.
“FreeFall was coming to [sic] down the tower. When the magnets engaged, the patron got here out of the seat,” an worker wrote within the report. Ritchie Armstrong, CEO of the Slingshot Group, stated in a Tuesday assertion that the corporate has suspended operations of each Orlando FreeFall and Orlando SlingShot at ICON Park whereas they cooperate with the continued investigation.
The surprising loss of life was captured on numerous mobile phone cameras of people that have been on the journey and people on the bottom—a number of of them posting it on social media. Chief John Mina stated that Samson was instantly taken to a neighborhood hospital after the autumn, the place he died from his accidents.
In a Friday information convention, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried promised a "full and thorough investigation" into Sampson’s loss of life, earlier than stressing that her company wouldn't bounce to any conclusions till that investigation was accomplished.
The autumn additionally instantly sparked outrage within the Orlando neighborhood, prompting hoards of individuals to protest to shut the journey. Amongst them was Johnson, who was seen sporting a t-shirt with the teenager’s photograph and his soccer jersey quantity whereas holding an indication that demanded “Justice for All.”
Based on the Orlando Sentinel, the lady who posed because the household consultant to native media is definitely an Orlando resident named Lewishena Lavonia Browning. The Every day Beast couldn't instantly attain Browning nor affirm she is in actual fact Johnson.
Court docket paperwork first reviewed by the Sentinel, nevertheless, embrace a 2021 restraining order petition towards Browning, whose alias was listed as “Shay Johnson.” The data additionally point out that Browning had an intensive arrest historical past—and was presently awaiting trial after allegedly setting a automotive on fireplace final August.
William Sierer, the proprietor of Flash Dancers, confirmed to the Sentinel that the lady had labored for the Orlando grownup membership for 5 years as an entertainer—however was fired this week after he discovered of the alleged deception. The membership additionally posted concerning the firing on their Instagram on Thursday.
Sierer additionally famous that at work, the lady glided by “Shay,” however her authorized title was Browning.
”I really feel horrible about it,” Sierer advised the outlet, arguing that his former entertainer’s actions have been “unconscionable.”
Sierer didn't instantly reply to The Every day Beast’s request for remark and makes an attempt to succeed in Flash Dancers have been unsuccessful.