When the local news reported last Tuesday that a 29-year-old pregnant woman was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting in Miami Gardens, it seemed like another extremely sad tragedy that unfortunately happens in any large city.
But then we learned the story hit closer to home, and that the woman, Angelese Ladson, was part of Miami's culinary community through a few degrees of separation.
Angelese was the daughter of Gerard Ladson, a sous-chef at 1500 Degrees at the Eden Roc, working under executive chef Paula DaSilva for the past two years. It was DaSilva who made Short Order aware of the circumstances, as she is trying to help the family raise money for Angelese's funeral.
"We are all just super saddened. It's tough to watch someone go through this," DaSilva told Short Order. "We are all trying to raise money at the hotel, as the arrangements are costing them over $15,000."
Angelese had another child, a 6-year-old girl, Zhariya, who will
be raised by her grandparents. A beautiful young woman, Angelese had
done modeling and was enrolled at Florida Memorial College, where she was majoring in
television/radio broadcasting before taking a break for maternity leave.
Ladson was chatting with a friend on her boyfriend's porch when three men pulled up to the house at 18048 NW 40th Pl. in Miami Gardens, according to police. The young mother was hit in the neck by a bullet and was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where both she and her unborn son died. Ladson was expected to give birth in mid-August.
Her
viewing will be Friday, July 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Logos Baptist
Church (16305 NW 48th Ave., Hialeah). Funeral services for both herself and her unborn son, Da'Von
Scott Jr., will be held at the same church at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7 -- the same day, coincidentally, that a baby shower was planned for
the young mother.
If you would like to help the family, you
can go to any Bank of America branch and make a donation to the Angelese
Ladson Funeral Fund -- account number 9167.
Follow Short Order on Facebook and Twitter @Short_Order.
