Posts tagged DeVelle

My heart is so heavy and filled with such a raw, searing pain. Something terrible happened yesterday.

Mike’s 21 year old cousin Develle and his girlfriend Victoria were visiting Nashville from Grand Forks, ND. Develle was an aspiring country songwriter and was visiting Nashville for the first time, living his dream. He and Victoria road tripped down here, got a nice hotel room at the Sheraton Music City and were having the time of their lives.

Victoria and Develle on their way to Nashville

The four of us had spent Wednesday and Thursday evening together. We went out for Mexican food Wednesday, then Thursday we barbecued here at the house and then took them to downtown Nashville.

Develle, me and Mike

Develle had been hanging out with Mike in the studio during the days, learning about music and recording. Mike was helping him decide how to put together his home studio. Mike and Develle had met when they were little children, but this was the first time they had ever really spent time together. They were having a blast.

Friday afternoon, Develle came over to our house. Mike let him in and they went upstairs. Develle said he needed to hit the bathroom, so Mike went into the studio to wait on him. A few minutes later, Mike heard strange noises. He ran over and banged on the door. Develle said to come in, that he needed help. He went in to help, and Develle was collapsed on the floor. His speech was impaired, he was breathing very heavily, and drifting in and out. Sometimes he was responsive and sometimes not. Mike called 911, and followed instructions until paramedics took over.

Develle did not survive. We don’t know if he died at our home, or in the ambulance, but he was not alive when he arrived at the hospital.

Develle’s girlfriend Victoria was at their hotel in Nashville when everything happened. He had bought her a spa day for her birthday. I kept calling, but her cell phone was dead, so Mike and I drove over there last night and told her the news. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She kept asking, “Really guys? Really?” We’re all struggling to believe it.

She stayed last night with us, along with Mike’s uncle John and his son, John, Jr. who drove down from Kentucky. They went today to pack up the hotel room, get Develle’s car, and get Develle’s belongings from the medical examiner. They took Victoria to Kentucky today to stay with her family.

The autopsy results will be back Tuesday. We do know Develle had been under treatment recently for blood clots. He was taking medication for them. He had been coughing some on Thursday evening, and was really fatigued. We don’t know if there was an underlying issue, or what exactly happened. Everything is such a mystery.

Thursday night, he was so alive. He told me I looked pretty. We joked about North Dakota mosquitos. He told us about his songwriting aspirations…

Please keep Develle’s family in your prayers. Also remember his girlfriend, Victoria. She is so lost and devastated. They adored one another. Mike is having a really difficult time too. He keeps replaying the whole incident in his mind. He’s really struggling. Even though we are comforted that Develle was with family (Mike) in his last moments, we are still in shock. Develle was an amazing young man with a huge heart. I only met him on Wednesday but I miss him terribly.