A Missouri school secretary has died after suffering a devastating head injury when she was kicked by a crowd surfer at a rock festival.
Danielle Uskiwich, 28, died on Tuesday (May 26), ten days after she was hurt at Pointfest in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Her family said she was hit accidentally while watching rock band Sleep Theory on May 16, when another attendee’s foot struck her head during crowd surfing.
“It is with absolutely shattered hearts that we share that our beautiful Danielle passed away on May 26th at 1:54 PM,” relatives wrote in a GoFundMe update shared on Wednesday.
Uskiwich, an attendance secretary at St. Charles High School, reportedly didn’t believe the impact had caused serious harm at first.
But three days later she was taken to hospital after developing an intense headache. Doctors subsequently found a brain bleed, which they believe was linked to the kick.
Over the following week in hospital, she suffered two strokes and required emergency surgery.
During the operation, medical teams are said to have removed six pints of blood along with multiple clots.
Her relatives also said surgeons identified an underlying medical condition during the procedure—something they believe might not have been discovered without the bleed.
After surgery on May 22, Uskiwich was put into a medically induced coma in an effort to ease swelling in her brain while her body recovered.
In what her family described as a final act of generosity, Uskiwich went on to donate her organs.
“Even through unimaginable grief, Danielle’s immediate family made the incredibly selfless decision to honour that giving spirit through organ donation so that others may have a second chance at life,” relatives wrote.
Her loved ones also said she was recognised with an ‘honour walk’ at the hospital, as family and staff lined the hallways while she was taken to Mid‑America Transplant in St. Louis.
Uskiwich had become engaged to her fiancé Jason in August 2025, and the couple were planning to marry in April next year.
In a GoFundMe message posted before her death, Jason wrote: “We have a long road ahead of us, but we’re going to get there! There’s no one tougher in the world to get through this. I love you so much!! You have 11 months to get ready for the aisle, baybos!”
Her family remembered her as a dedicated St. Louis Blues supporter who loved music and travelling, and who had a gift for making people feel valued.
“Danielle was loved by so many,” the family wrote.
“There was the kindest heart, a beautiful smile, and a spirit that could light up any room.
“Danielle had a warmth and humour that made people feel seen and loved.”