What we know about victims of New Orleans truck attack: 'So beautiful and full of life'

NEW ORLEANS -- A young mother teaching her son to read. A former college football player "on top of the world" living in New York City. An 18-year-old aspiring nurse. A father of two remembered as the "life of the party."

Family members and friends have begun identifying the 14 people who died in the truck-ramming attack early Wednesday morning on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

New Orleans attack latest: 14 killed plus suspect in New Years truck attack

The suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was allegedly "hell-bent" on killing as many people as possible when he steered a pickup truck around barricades and plowed into a crowd of people ringing in the New Year, according to New Orleans Superintendent of Police Anne Kirkpatrick.

Jabbar also died in the attack.

Here's what we know about the victims so far:

Tiger Bech, 27

Tiger Bech's death was confirmed to ABC News by his mother, Michelle Bech.

She said her son, 27, played football at Princeton University and moved to New York City after graduating in 2021 to work for Seaport Global, a capital markets firm.

She told ABC News that her son lived life to the fullest and was "on top of the world."

She said her son was in Louisiana for a long weekend of hunting and fishing, two of his favorite activities, with college friends from Princeton. He was scheduled to fly back to New York City Wednesday afternoon.

His younger brother, Jack Bech, is a wide receiver for Texas Christian University Football. Michelle Bech said Tiger Bech frequently flew down from New York City over the past two years to attend his brother's games.

In a statement to ABC News, Princeton's football coach Bob Surace described Tiger Bech as "a ferocious competitor with endless energy, a beloved teammate and a caring friend."

Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, 18

Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux's death was confirmed to ABC News by her mother, Melissa Dedeaux.

Melissa Dedeaux remembered her 18-year-old daughter as a kind and outgoing young woman who was excited to attend nursing school this year.

"She was a sweet person. She was outgoing, she was very loved," said Melissa Dedeaux, who said goodbye to her daughter for the final time Tuesday night.

Melissa Dedeaux said she begged her daughter not to go to Bourbon Street for New Years' Eve like she had done the year prior. She said she was worried about the danger of the area, and she needed her daughter to pick her up from her overnight shift at work at 7:30 a.m.

When another family member picked her up from work, she said she sensed something was wrong. She said her brother-in-law broke the news to her once she got home.

Melissa Dedeaux said she hopes others remember her daughter as a kind person.

"She was a good person, and even though she was loved by many, it can happen to anybody," she said.

Reggie Hunter, 37

Reggie Hunter's death was confirmed by his first cousin, Shirell Jackson.

"He did not deserve this," she told ABC News' Diane Macedo. "It's senseless; it's cruel. ...I wish none of this had ever happened."

Jackson said Hunter, 37, leaves behind two sons, 11-year-old Landon Hunter and 18-month-old Christian Hunter. She described her cousin as the "life of the party" with a big heart who was funny, loving and caring.

"This is hurting all of us differently and on so many levels," she said. "We were expecting so much life to live with our cousin ... Just a beautiful person who did not deserve this and had so much more life to live."

Nicole Perez, 27

Nicole Perez, 27 was confirmed as one of the victims by Kimberly Usher-Fall, her employer and family friend.

Usher-Fall said Perez had recently been promoted to a manager at one of her stores and she was really excited about the position.

She said Perez brought her 4-year-old son, Melo (Melvin), with her to work and she was helping him learn how to read.

"She was a great mother," Usher-Fall told ABC News' Diane Macedo. "She just was a really exciting little young lady and she was getting herself together."

Usher-Fall said Perez was out with her friends for New Year's Eve when she was struck by the truck. She was taken to University Hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Usher-Fall has previously shared the news of Perez's passing Wednesday morning on a GoFundMe page.

"She was so beautiful and full of life. Her son Melo is now without his momma, and we are without our friend and dedicated employee. I'm hoping to get some help for her burial expenses and to help her son with expenses he will need to transition into a new living situation."

Matthew Tenedorio, 25

The death of Matthew Tenedorio, 25, was confirmed to ABC News by his parents, Louis and Cathy Tenedorio.

Tenedorio worked as a fiber optics and video professional at the Superdome and Smoothie King Center, according to his parents, who said they felt he had a boundless future.

Cathy Tenedorio described her son as the "life of the room" whose warmth and humor was treasured by his friends. Asked what she would miss about her son, she answered, "Everything. His beautiful face, laugh. 'I love you mom.' You know he was just a wonderful son."

The Tenedorios last saw their son at dinner on New Year's Eve before he departed for a night out with friends on Bourbon Street.

They both qualms about him staying out late on New Year's Eve.

"But all I did was just hug him and tell him, 'I love you. Happy New Year. Please text me when you get home.' And that text never came," Cathy Tenedorio said.

The Tenedorios began trying to contact their son Wednesday morning, attempting to piece together his last steps by asking his friends. They described a scene of chaos and carnage that caused the group to split up. By the time the shooting stopped, they couldn't find Matthew, his parents said.

"By noon, I had a good idea that something terrible happened to my son," Louis said.

Louis and Cathy recounted calling hospitals and reporting their son missing and then eventually going to a family reunification center at the University Medical Center hospital.

"I heard parents screaming and crying this afternoon. It just broke my heart," Cathy Tenedorio said, describing the agony of waiting to learn their son's fate.

Kareem Badawi

A fellow alumnus was critically injured and is hospitalized, the school said.

The Badawi family said Kareem was an "outstanding person," "smart and dedicated to his studies" and a "talented athlete, known for his hard work and team spirit."

"But what truly set Kareem apart was his kindness. He was sweet, loving, and caring, always there for his family and friends. Kareem's smile and humor truly lit up every room. As a son, brother, cousin, and friend, he was someone everyone could count on. With his bright future ahead of him, Kareem was destined for great things, and he'll be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Kareem was attending the University of Alabama, according to a statement from the university president.

In a statement, his family said, "Kareem was an outstanding person. He was a freshman at the University of Alabama, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He was incredibly smart and dedicated to his studies, always pushing himself to be the best. On top of that, he was a talented athlete, known for his hard work and team spirit. But what truly set Kareem apart was his kindness. He was sweet, loving, and caring, always there for his family and friends. Kareem's smile and humor truly lit up every room. As a son, brother, cousin, and friend, he was someone everyone could count on. With his bright future ahead of him, Kareem was destined for great things, and he'll be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Hubert Gauthreaux, 21

"It is with great sorrow that we share that alum Hubert Gauthreaux, Class of 2021, was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter," a statement from the school said. "He was 21 years old."

Drew Dauphin, 26

Drew Dauphin's family said in a statement that they will remember him for his "infectious smile" and ability to light "up every room he entered."

"We cherish the 26 years that we had with him and raising him will always be one of the greatest joys of our lives. Our family is numb and in shock through this horrific and senseless tragedy," the family said in a statement to ABC News.

The family described yesterday's attack as "unbelievable" and said they are "suffering more than anyone can imagine."

Drew, 26, graduated from Auburn University in 2023.

"Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew's family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time," said Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts.

According to the family, Drew was happiest spending time on Lake Martin - a reservoir in Alabama - with his brother Matthew. T

"Drew will always now be in the sun at the lake that he loved so much," a family friend said.

Billy DiMaio, 25

Billy DiMaio, a 25-year-old account executive at Audacy, died in yesterday's attack, according to a company spokesperson.

"Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness," an Audacy spokesperson said in a statement.

Terrence Kennedy, 63

Terrence Kennedy, 63, loved spending time in New Orleans' French Quarter, according to his sister LaTonya Kennedy, who remembered her brother as a man who could make friends with anybody he met.

"He loved the French Quarter, and the only thing he would do, he'd get one can of beer and go stand up and talk to everybody," she told ABC News. "He might stand right there on Bourbon and Carondelet Street and talk for five hours."

LaTonya said she last saw Terrence on New Years' Eve before he departed for Bourbon Street.

"I said, 'What are you doing with two jackets on?'" she said.

"He said, 'Oh, Sis, I'm going in a Quarter, you know, it's gonna get cold at night, so I put on two jackets, you know, make sure I ain't cold,'" he responded, according to LaTonya, who imitated her brothers' voice over the phone.

"I had gave my brother a big old hug and kiss, told him Happy New Years. Told him be careful," she said, recounting how he wore "big old 2025 eyeglasses" to ring in the New Year.

According to LaTonya, Terrence did not have known children but acted like a father to his nieces and nephews.

"He helped raise them, you know, he was a father to them more than an uncle would ever be," she said.

LaTonya said she hopes to remember her brother as a guy who could walk into any room and befriend anyone he met. One of his neighbors, Brian Polard, told ABC News that Terrence always had a joke to tell when he ran into him, calling the 63-year-old "a really wholesome guy."

"He was this person, had this big bubba smile. He had this big old conversation. He always goes out to talk and make friends," she said.

Brandon Taylor, 43

Brandon Taylor. died in the attack on Bourbon Street, the New Orleans' Coroner said Friday.

Taylor was from Harvey, Louisiana.

Elliot Wilkinson, 40

Elliot Wilkinson died in the attack on Bourbon Street, the New Orleans' Coroner said Friday.

Wilkinson was from Slidell, Louisiana.

Two other unnamed victims

A British citizen was among the victims in the attack on Bourbon Street, the New Orleans' Coroner's office said Friday. The ID of the victim is being withheld pending the international arrangements, the office said.

A 14th victim has yet to be identified.