One Direction fans gather at the Obelisk to pay tribute to Liam Payne, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianSource: REUTERS
The consequence of living is death, yet ever so often, the passing of some notable figures come as a shock.
A lot of individuals passed on as we journeyed through 2024 amid the heated military tensions in certain regions.
Health struggles, human cruelty, and disasters are a few of the reasons why the people on this list are not here with us today.
Adan Canto, Mexican Actor
Adan Canto and his son.Source: Adan Canto - Official Instragram account
Adan Canto, 42, a Mexican actor known for playing roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past and Designated Survivor, died on January 8 after battling appendiceal cancer.
Hage Geingob, Namibian president
President of Namibia Hage GeingobSource: Official X account of Hage Geingob
Although the late Namibian president Hage Geingob was 82 and had his fair share of health challenges in the past, his death came as a shock to many—especially Namibians. Geingob was the first prime minister of the Southern African nation from 1990 to 2002 and served again from 2012 to 2015, before becoming president from 2015 until his death on February 4.
Kelvin Kiptum, Kenyan athlete
FILE PHOTO: Oct 8, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya celebrates after setting a new world record time of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports/File PhotoSource: X02835
Kenyan long-distance runner Kelvin Kiptum had the world at his feet before his untimely death in a road traffic collision on February 11 at age 24. Kiptum, as of December 24, still holds the marathon world record.
Alexei Navalny, Russian lawyer
FILE PHOTO: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny addresses demonstrators during a rally in support of independent candidates for elections to Moscow City Duma, the capital's regional parliament, in Moscow, Russia July 20, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/File PhotoSource: X00499
Alexei Navalny was a 47-year-old Russian lawyer, opposition politician, and political prisoner. On February 16, 2024, the Federal Penitentiary Service reported that Navalny had passed away in a prison in Yamalo-Nenets, Western Siberia. He had gone for a walk that morning but began to feel unwell shortly thereafter.
John Okafor, Nigerian actor
Legendary Nigerian actor John Okafor.Source: John Okafor - official Instagram account
Legendary Nigerian comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, passed away on March 2 after videos circulated on social media of him on a hospital bed and in a dire state. Okafor appeared in over 200 Nigerian films and reportedly died from a cardiac arrest at age 62.
Orenthal James Simpson, former American NFL player
**FILE PHOTO** O.J. Simpson Has Passed Away. EXCLUSIVE Miami Beach, FL 6-13-2002 OJ Simpson is back with girlfriend Christy Prody at a birthday party for friend Tammy Wu at RUMI RESTAURANT. Photo by Adam Scull-PHOTOlink / MediaPunch Copyright: xPHOTOlinkx/xMediaPunchxNo Use Switzerland. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use AustriaSource: X07246
Many might associate the name O.J. Simpson with the infamous 1995 murder trial where he was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. But before that, Simpson was a famous footballer nicknamed “the Juice” who played for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Simpson died aged 76 on April 10 after battling prostate cancer.
Sayyid Ebrahim Raisolsadati, Iranian president
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a meeting in Minab, Iran, February 2, 2024. Iran's Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoSource: X07016
Ebrahim Raisi was an Iranian politician who served as the eighth president of Iran from 2021 until he died in an Iranian Air Force helicopter crash at the age of 63 on May 19. Raisi perished alongside foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, governor-general of East Azerbaijan Malek Rahmati, representative of the supreme leader in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, the head of the president's security team, and three flight crew.
Saulos Chilima, Malawian vice president
FILE PHOTO: Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima arrives at a polling station in Lilongwe, Malawi May 21, 2019 in this still image obtained from REUTERS TV video. REUTERS TV/Eldson Chagara/via REUTERS/File PhotoSource: X00514
The death of Malawian vice president Saulos Chilima at the age of 51 was much talked about when, on June 10, a plane carrying Chilima and eight other passengers crashed, killing all onboard.
Rebecca Cheptegei, Ugandan athlete
FILE PHOTO: Uganda's Rebecca Cheptegei in action during the women's marathon final at the World Athletics Championship, Budapest, Hungary - August 26, 2023, REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File PhotoSource: REUTERS
Ugandan Olympic long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei’s gruesome murder by her ex-boyfriend sent shockwaves—it was more so how she was set on fire and burnt alive with petrol. The former world champion in mountain running after few days in the hospital succumbed to her injuries and passed on September 5, only aged 33.
Liam Payne, English singer
FILE PHOTO: Singer Liam Payne poses for photographers at the world premiere of the film "I am Bolt" in London/File PhotoSource: REUTERS
The fall of Liam Payne left many speechless—sparking widespread grief and condolences from all over the world. The former One Direction star passed away on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from a balcony in his Buenos Aires hotel room during his visit to Argentina.
Herbert Wigwe, Nigerian banker
Herbert Wigwe, co-founder of Access Bank.Source: Herbert Wigwe - official Instagram account
A helicopter crash on February 9 in California tragically killed six people, including Herbert Wigwe, one of the co-founders of Access Bank, which is one of the biggest banks in Nigeria. Along with him, his wife, son, and a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange also lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Song Jae-rim, South Korean actor
South Korean model and actor Song Jae-rim arrives on the red carpet for the 36th Blue Dragon Film Awards in Seoul, South Korea, 26 November 2015.No Use China. No Use France.Source: X07014
Known for his modelling career and roles in K-dramas, the news that the 39-year-old actor was found dead in his Seoul apartment on November 12 was one his fans did not expect. Reports indicate that a note was found in his apartment, and police said there was “no evidence of foul play.”