Passing of Evansville Icon, Shane Breedlove, Leaves Community in Deep Sadness

As the Digital Managing Editor of this station and all the stations of Townsquare Media, it's my job to make sure that we cover local breaking news. Though I heard about this early this morning, it has taken me a few hours to build up the heart to write up this blog.

Last night, Shane Breedlove, a well-known Evansville figure was murdered on Evansville's east side. Police say there were physical signs of trauma and shell casings near his body.

There were  It seems like almost everyone instantly recognizes his name and associate it with how much they enjoyed his company. I had the pleasure of working with Shane Breedlove many years ago. When I was in college, I worked at Oxygen Nightclub as a bartender and Shane was always in the karaoke room. Shane made walking into a dark dingy bar at 9 PM a lot less depressing. And though not everyone was a karaoke prodigy, he always made those brave enough to get on stage feel like they were a star for a few minutes.

When I heard the news, I instantly looked up Shane's profile on Facebook. It's been years since we spoke but this kind of tragedy really takes your breath away. A few lines down, I saw a picture of Shane with his wife and daughter. It tore me up. In the comments, Shane writes about his daughter, "She's a daddy's girl. I have her all the time and that's where she is the entire time she is with me." I can't fathom the gut-wrenching pain she must be feeling. Though we have never met, my heart truly goes out to his wife, children and family.

It's hard to imagine that something like this could happen in our community. And though I don't know the circumstances surrounding this violent crime, I do know the Evansville Police Department will do their best to find who is responsible.

The Evansville community's reaction has been that of deep sadness.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help bring those responsible to justice and bring aid to his family. We will post when Shane's funeral arrangements have been made.