LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — The Disney community and beyond are mourning the loss of Dominique Brown, a beloved theme park influencer, who passed away at the age of 34 after experiencing a “medical emergency” at a holiday event in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by BoxLunch, a company known for its pop-culture retail. According to a statement from BoxLunch, Brown suffered what was later identified as a severe allergic reaction after consuming food that contained allergens she had specifically mentioned to the staff.
Reports from PEOPLE magazine detailed that Brown had informed the event staff about her allergy, receiving reassurances that her food would be allergen-free. However, after consuming the meal, she began to show signs of an allergic reaction. On social media, user @hideyagrannies shared, “She was my mom’s best friend of 10 years. She asked if there was peanuts in the food and everyone told her no.” Immediate action was taken at the scene; Brown received CPR and emergency services (911) were promptly called, but tragically, these efforts were not enough to save her life.
|
Advertisement |
In their statement, BoxLunch expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch on Thursday in Los Angeles. Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.” The official cause of Brown’s death has not been released to the public as of the latest updates.
Brown’s brother, Patrick Ramos, took to her final Instagram post to share the devastating news. In the post, Brown was seen in a joyful moment, dressed in a Winnie the Pooh-themed outfit inside a Disney store. Ramos wrote, “I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.”
Just prior to this tragic event, Brown was seen celebrating at the “Moana 2” premiere on November 27, showcasing her love for Disney on the red carpet. A resident of Long Beach, she co-founded BlackGirlDisney with Mia Von, aiming to create a welcoming space for women of color who share a passion for Disney, its films, and its theme parks.
Following her untimely death, a petition was launched on Change.org, demanding better food allergy safety measures across California. The petition, which has now collected over 18,000 signatures, stated, “Our beloved Dominique “Domo” Brown tragically lost her life due to a severe allergic reaction at an event + food establishment in Los Angeles. Despite informing staff of her life-threatening allergy, she was served a dish containing the allergen. The establishment lacked critical life-saving tools like epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPens) and trained staff to respond effectively.” It calls for legislation to mandate EpiPens at food-serving venues and training for staff on how to manage allergic reactions.
The incident has not only highlighted the personal tragedy but has also brought attention to the broader issue of food allergies in the U.S. According to Food Allergy Research & Education, around 33 million Americans suffer from at least one food allergy. In response to Brown’s death, they issued a statement emphasizing the need for greater awareness and preparedness, “As a community, we need to be informed and ready to act so that this doesn’t happen anymore; or, if it does happen, so we are able to assist.”
DEVELOPING::