Notable deaths in 2024 that shook the world
Death is inevitable, and the consequence of living is death—yet ever so often, some deaths 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, 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
Source: Global South World
