Utah Man Kurt Cochran Among the Dead in London Attack
A Utah man celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary in London was among those killed in Wednesday's attack outside the U.K. Parliament, his family and church said.
Kurt Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were on a tour of Europe and had stopped in London, where her parents are serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to church and family spokesmen. They planned to return home Thursday.
Melissa was seriously injured, the family spokesman, Clint Payne, said in a statement.
"Our family is heartbroken," Payne said.
He added: "Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers from her injuries."
President Donald Trump tweeted a tribute to Cochran, calling him a "great American."
Cochran, 54, was a fixture of the local music scene in Salt Lake City. With his wife, he ran a recording studio out of the basement of their home in West Bountiful, a small town north of the city.
"Kurt was a warm, loving guy, laid back," said Kurt Landenberger, whose band, Dealin' In Dirt, is recording an album at Cochran's Onion Street Studio. "He made it seem really easy. Nothing pretentious. He was just a real good, genuine guy."
The Cochrans sponsored a stage at an annual outdoor concert called Summerfest.
Cochran had two adult sons from a previous relationship, the sons' stepfather, Danny Wiley, told The Associated Press. "He was a good guy, everybody liked him. He always had a smile on his face," Wiley said.
Details of how Cochran and his wife were caught in Wednesday's carnage, in which three other victims died and 28 were injured, were not immediately clear. The attacker was identified Thursday as Khalid Masood.
The 52-year-old suspect plowed a rental vehicle into a crowd of people walking on Westminster Bridge before crashing into a railing outside the House of Commons. The alleged extremist then fatally stabbed a police officer before armed officers shot him dead.
The officer, Constable Keith Palmer, was a member of a unit that protects Parliament and other government buildings. The married father was a military veteran, officials said.
Also killed was a mother of two who was hit by a bus as she ran to safety. Aysha Frade, 43, was on her way to pick up her children from school.
The small Spanish town of Betanzos, where her family lives, declared three days of mourning.
London police said Thursday night that a fourth person, a 75-year-old man, died of injuries from the attack.
Three French children on a school trip and two Romanian citizens were among those wounded.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in London said the American government would help any U.S. citizens affected by the attack.
Westminster terror attack claims fourth victim hours after American Kurt Cochran named as third person killed
An officer on duty, a teacher, a pensioner and a tourist celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife – the world is learning more about the four people killed in Wednesday’s attack in Westminster.
The third victim of the terror attack in Westminster has been named as American Kurt Cochran.
Mr Cochran was visiting London with his wife Melissa to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
His wife was injured in the attack and she is in hospital with a broken leg, rib and a cut to the head.
On Thursday evening police confirmed that a 75-year-old man, the fourth victim, had died in hospital as a result of the attack. His life support was withdrawn, detectives said.
A Facebook post by the Cochrans' family described the loss of the 54-year-old as "heart wrenching".
It said: “With a heavy heart I must pass the sad news of our beautiful brother, father, husband, son and friend Kurt Cochran, he could not overcome the injuries he received in the London terror attacks. This pain is so heart wrenching and raw it has rocked our family and all that knew him to its core.
“We will miss Kurt beyond words. We love you Kurt. RIP. Melissa Payne Cochran is in the hospital with a broken leg, rib and a cut on her head but will recover from her injuries. Sending all the love to her for a quick recovery.”
A statement from Ms Cochran's side of the family said: “Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brother and son-in-law, Kurt W. Cochran, who was a victim of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in London.
“Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa.
“They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday.
“Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack and is being cared for in the hospital.”
US President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to Mr Cochran.
He said: “A great American, Kurt Cochran, was killed in the London terror attack. My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends.”
Mr Cochran was the third person who died in the attack to be named.
Aysha Frade
Aysha Frade, who worked as a sixth form Spanish teacher at the nearby DLD College London, also died in the attack.
A British national, whose mother was Spanish and father was Cypriot, she lived in London with her two young daughters and her husband.
She was walking to meet her daughters from school when the attack happened.
The school’s head teacher Rachel Borland said Ms Frade was “a highly regarded and loved” teacher at the college. “She will be missed by us all.”
A former neighbour of Ms Frade, Patricia Scotland, who lives in the Ladbroke Grove area of London told the BBC Ms Frade had been a “lovely mother, a lovely wife”.
"She was just a lovely person, with two lovely, lovely girls," she said. "You couldn't ask for better neighbours".
PC Keith Palmer
PC Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed by the attacker who was attempting to gain entry to the Palace of Westminster.
PC Palmer was on duty as an unarmed member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad at the Houses of Parliament.
He had been in the Metropolitan Police since 2001 and has a five-year-old daughter.
A statement from PC Palmer’s family said: “Keith will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC
“Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous. A friend to everyone who knew him.
“He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.
“His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss and ask that they are left to grieve alone in peace.”
Conservative MP and former colleague James Cleverly described the police officer as “a lovely man, a friend.”
“I’m heartbroken,” he said.
In a moving tribute to PC Palmer in the House of Commons, Mr Cleverly later described him as a “strong, professional public servant”, while Prime Minister Theresa May said he was “every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten.”
Charlton Athletic Football Club, paid tribute to PC Palmer by placing a scarf on the seat he occupied in the stands as a long-time season-ticket holder.
Over £225,000 has been donated after the Metropolitan Police Federation launched a memorial fund to pay tribute to their “fallen colleague”, who they say was “simply doing his job” when he was senselessly targeted while guarding the Palace of Westminster.
A JustGiving page launched just after 9am on Thursday reached its target of £10,000 in less than two hours.
Injured
At least 40 people were injured in the attack, including a Romanian woman who has undergone major surgery, including the removal of a blood clot on her brain. Her fiancé also sustained a broken foot.
Three French school children were also struck by the car as it drove along the pavement on Westminster bridge. One boy is in intensive care with broken legs, a head injury and a localised haematoma behind one of his lungs.
Two police officers are also believed to be in a serious condition in hospital, while another is reportedly stable. The group were returning from an event that recognised their bravery in service, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Two British students were also injured, with one requiring stitches for a head wound, while the other sustained a wrist injury.
In total five people remain in a critical condition and two have life threatening injuries.
Attacker
The attacker has been named as 52-year-old Khalid Massood, who was born in Kent and is believed to have been living in the West Midlands. He was shot dead at the scene of the attack.
London victims: Police officer, teacher, American tourist killed
The four people killed in the London terror attack included a veteran policeman, a teacher and an American tourist.
Kurt Cochran, who was visiting London from Utah with his wife, died as a result of injuries sustained in the attack, his family and church said. He was in his mid-50s, according to police.
British national Aysha Frade, a 43-year old teacher, was identified as another victim.
And Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old father and husband, was the unarmed police officer on duty at the gates of Parliament when the attacker stabbed him to death.
A fourth person, a 75-year-old man, died late Thursday from injuries, according to Metropolitan Police.
A wedding anniversary
Kurt Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were visiting London to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when, police say, Khalid Masood drove a vehicle into people walking along Westminster Bridge.
Cochran's death was confirmed by family members and his church.
His wife, Melissa Cochran, suffered a broken leg, a broken rib and a cut to her head, but she will recover from her injuries, her brother Clint Payne said in a message on social media.
"Our hearts are broken this day as we say goodbye to our dear brother-in-law Kurt. He passed away from the injuries sustained in the London terrorist attack yesterday. We love him so much and will never forget him."
Payne said he was grateful his sister would recover.
"Our hearts ache for her and their children in losing their loving companion and father. Please continue to pray for our family. Thank you."
The couple ran the Onion Street Studio -- a recording studio -- in West Bountiful, near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nate Kizerian, a close friend, said Kurt was passionate about music.
"I love talking to people that light up when they talk about what they are passionate about," said Kizerian. "Kurt was one of those people."
Kurt also lit up around the other love of his life: his wife.
"That's what is bothering me the most," said Kizerian. "They just celebrated 25 years."
'Every inch a hero'
After Officer Keith Palmer was stabbed, bystanders rushed to his aid. As he lay bleeding on the cobblestone street, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, to no avail.
Tributes poured in from his family and colleagues, as well as the country's leaders.
"He was a husband and a father, killed doing a job he loved. He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten," Prime Minister Theresa May said in Parliament.
"Keith was a genuinely nice person; nobody had a bad word to say about him," a colleague, James Aitkenhead, said.
"When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that's just the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back."
London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter that Palmer's shoulder number, 4157U, would be retired as a mark of respect. His former team laid a wreath Thursday in his honor.
"Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty, protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.
His death drew tributes from politicians including Conservative James Cleverly, who said he served with Palmer in the Royal Artillery before he became a "copper."
"A lovely man, a friend. I'm heartbroken," Cleverly said on Twitter.
A crowdfunding campaign on the website JustGiving aims to raise £200,000 ($250,000) for Palmer's family; by Thursday evening it had surpassed £290,000.
"He will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC," Palmer's family said in a statement, referring to Palmer's football club of choice.
"He will be deeply missed. We love him so much."
Teacher killed
Aysha Frade's death was first confirmed by the mayor of Betanzos in Spain, Ramon Garcia Vasquez, where the teacher's relatives live.
Garcia Vasquez said Frade lived in London with her Portuguese husband.
"We are totally overwhelmed by the news and we send our condolences to the people in London," he told CNN.
A Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Frade was a British national, while her mother was a Spanish citizen.
Frade worked at DLD College London as an administrator, Principal Rachel Borland said in a statement.
"We are all deeply shocked and saddened at the news that one of the victims yesterday was a member of our staff, Aysha Frade. All our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with her family. We will be offering every support we can to them as they try to come to terms with their devastating loss.
"Aysha worked as a member of our administration team at the college. She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues. She will be deeply missed by all of us."
Tourists struck
Around 40 others were injured in the attack as the driver plowed into a crowd on Westminster Bridge, a popular spot for tourists to take photos of London's landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Among them were 12 British nationals who have been hospitalized, May told Parliament. She said the victims came from France, Romania, South Korea, Germany, Poland, Ireland, China, Italy, the United States and Greece.
The injured included three police officers, who were returning from an event to recognize their bravery, she said. Two of them remain in serious condition.
The French Foreign Ministry said three French children were injured. They were on a school trip to London from the Saint-Joseph school in Concarneau. The ministry gave no word on the extent of their injuries.
"(Foreign Minister) Jean-Marc Ayrault supports the families of our compatriots concerned in this difficult time," the French Foreign Ministry statement said.
A man and three women in their 50s and 60s from South Korea suffered fractures, while another woman in her 60s needed surgery after sustaining a serious head injury.
In Australia, Attorney-General George Brandis told the Senate a female permanent resident from South Australia had been hospitalized after the attack.
Kurt Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were on a tour of Europe and had stopped in London, where her parents are serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to church and family spokesmen. They planned to return home Thursday.
Melissa was seriously injured, the family spokesman, Clint Payne, said in a statement.
"Our family is heartbroken," Payne said.
He added: "Kurt will be greatly missed, and we ask for privacy as our family mourns and as Melissa recovers from her injuries."
President Donald Trump tweeted a tribute to Cochran, calling him a "great American."
Cochran, 54, was a fixture of the local music scene in Salt Lake City. With his wife, he ran a recording studio out of the basement of their home in West Bountiful, a small town north of the city.
"Kurt was a warm, loving guy, laid back," said Kurt Landenberger, whose band, Dealin' In Dirt, is recording an album at Cochran's Onion Street Studio. "He made it seem really easy. Nothing pretentious. He was just a real good, genuine guy."
The Cochrans sponsored a stage at an annual outdoor concert called Summerfest.
Cochran had two adult sons from a previous relationship, the sons' stepfather, Danny Wiley, told The Associated Press. "He was a good guy, everybody liked him. He always had a smile on his face," Wiley said.
Details of how Cochran and his wife were caught in Wednesday's carnage, in which three other victims died and 28 were injured, were not immediately clear. The attacker was identified Thursday as Khalid Masood.
The 52-year-old suspect plowed a rental vehicle into a crowd of people walking on Westminster Bridge before crashing into a railing outside the House of Commons. The alleged extremist then fatally stabbed a police officer before armed officers shot him dead.
The officer, Constable Keith Palmer, was a member of a unit that protects Parliament and other government buildings. The married father was a military veteran, officials said.
Also killed was a mother of two who was hit by a bus as she ran to safety. Aysha Frade, 43, was on her way to pick up her children from school.
The small Spanish town of Betanzos, where her family lives, declared three days of mourning.
London police said Thursday night that a fourth person, a 75-year-old man, died of injuries from the attack.
Three French children on a school trip and two Romanian citizens were among those wounded.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in London said the American government would help any U.S. citizens affected by the attack.
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| Kurt Cochran and Melissa Payne Cochran. Family photo |
Westminster terror attack claims fourth victim hours after American Kurt Cochran named as third person killed
An officer on duty, a teacher, a pensioner and a tourist celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife – the world is learning more about the four people killed in Wednesday’s attack in Westminster.
The third victim of the terror attack in Westminster has been named as American Kurt Cochran.
Mr Cochran was visiting London with his wife Melissa to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
His wife was injured in the attack and she is in hospital with a broken leg, rib and a cut to the head.
On Thursday evening police confirmed that a 75-year-old man, the fourth victim, had died in hospital as a result of the attack. His life support was withdrawn, detectives said.
A Facebook post by the Cochrans' family described the loss of the 54-year-old as "heart wrenching".
It said: “With a heavy heart I must pass the sad news of our beautiful brother, father, husband, son and friend Kurt Cochran, he could not overcome the injuries he received in the London terror attacks. This pain is so heart wrenching and raw it has rocked our family and all that knew him to its core.
“We will miss Kurt beyond words. We love you Kurt. RIP. Melissa Payne Cochran is in the hospital with a broken leg, rib and a cut on her head but will recover from her injuries. Sending all the love to her for a quick recovery.”
A statement from Ms Cochran's side of the family said: “Our family is heartbroken to learn of the death of our brother and son-in-law, Kurt W. Cochran, who was a victim of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in London.
“Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa.
“They were in Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and were scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday.
“Melissa also received serious injuries in the attack and is being cared for in the hospital.”
US President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to Mr Cochran.
He said: “A great American, Kurt Cochran, was killed in the London terror attack. My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends.”
Mr Cochran was the third person who died in the attack to be named.
Aysha Frade
Aysha Frade, who worked as a sixth form Spanish teacher at the nearby DLD College London, also died in the attack.
A British national, whose mother was Spanish and father was Cypriot, she lived in London with her two young daughters and her husband.
She was walking to meet her daughters from school when the attack happened.
The school’s head teacher Rachel Borland said Ms Frade was “a highly regarded and loved” teacher at the college. “She will be missed by us all.”
A former neighbour of Ms Frade, Patricia Scotland, who lives in the Ladbroke Grove area of London told the BBC Ms Frade had been a “lovely mother, a lovely wife”.
"She was just a lovely person, with two lovely, lovely girls," she said. "You couldn't ask for better neighbours".
PC Keith Palmer
PC Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed by the attacker who was attempting to gain entry to the Palace of Westminster.
PC Palmer was on duty as an unarmed member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad at the Houses of Parliament.
He had been in the Metropolitan Police since 2001 and has a five-year-old daughter.
A statement from PC Palmer’s family said: “Keith will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC
“Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous. A friend to everyone who knew him.
“He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.
“His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss and ask that they are left to grieve alone in peace.”
Conservative MP and former colleague James Cleverly described the police officer as “a lovely man, a friend.”
“I’m heartbroken,” he said.
In a moving tribute to PC Palmer in the House of Commons, Mr Cleverly later described him as a “strong, professional public servant”, while Prime Minister Theresa May said he was “every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten.”
Charlton Athletic Football Club, paid tribute to PC Palmer by placing a scarf on the seat he occupied in the stands as a long-time season-ticket holder.
Over £225,000 has been donated after the Metropolitan Police Federation launched a memorial fund to pay tribute to their “fallen colleague”, who they say was “simply doing his job” when he was senselessly targeted while guarding the Palace of Westminster.
A JustGiving page launched just after 9am on Thursday reached its target of £10,000 in less than two hours.
Injured
At least 40 people were injured in the attack, including a Romanian woman who has undergone major surgery, including the removal of a blood clot on her brain. Her fiancé also sustained a broken foot.
Three French school children were also struck by the car as it drove along the pavement on Westminster bridge. One boy is in intensive care with broken legs, a head injury and a localised haematoma behind one of his lungs.
Two police officers are also believed to be in a serious condition in hospital, while another is reportedly stable. The group were returning from an event that recognised their bravery in service, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Two British students were also injured, with one requiring stitches for a head wound, while the other sustained a wrist injury.
In total five people remain in a critical condition and two have life threatening injuries.
Attacker
The attacker has been named as 52-year-old Khalid Massood, who was born in Kent and is believed to have been living in the West Midlands. He was shot dead at the scene of the attack.
London victims: Police officer, teacher, American tourist killed
The four people killed in the London terror attack included a veteran policeman, a teacher and an American tourist.
Kurt Cochran, who was visiting London from Utah with his wife, died as a result of injuries sustained in the attack, his family and church said. He was in his mid-50s, according to police.
British national Aysha Frade, a 43-year old teacher, was identified as another victim.
And Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old father and husband, was the unarmed police officer on duty at the gates of Parliament when the attacker stabbed him to death.
A fourth person, a 75-year-old man, died late Thursday from injuries, according to Metropolitan Police.
A wedding anniversary
Kurt Cochran and his wife, Melissa, were visiting London to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when, police say, Khalid Masood drove a vehicle into people walking along Westminster Bridge.
Cochran's death was confirmed by family members and his church.
His wife, Melissa Cochran, suffered a broken leg, a broken rib and a cut to her head, but she will recover from her injuries, her brother Clint Payne said in a message on social media.
"Our hearts are broken this day as we say goodbye to our dear brother-in-law Kurt. He passed away from the injuries sustained in the London terrorist attack yesterday. We love him so much and will never forget him."
Payne said he was grateful his sister would recover.
"Our hearts ache for her and their children in losing their loving companion and father. Please continue to pray for our family. Thank you."
The couple ran the Onion Street Studio -- a recording studio -- in West Bountiful, near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nate Kizerian, a close friend, said Kurt was passionate about music.
"I love talking to people that light up when they talk about what they are passionate about," said Kizerian. "Kurt was one of those people."
Kurt also lit up around the other love of his life: his wife.
"That's what is bothering me the most," said Kizerian. "They just celebrated 25 years."
'Every inch a hero'
After Officer Keith Palmer was stabbed, bystanders rushed to his aid. As he lay bleeding on the cobblestone street, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, to no avail.
Tributes poured in from his family and colleagues, as well as the country's leaders.
"He was a husband and a father, killed doing a job he loved. He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten," Prime Minister Theresa May said in Parliament.
"Keith was a genuinely nice person; nobody had a bad word to say about him," a colleague, James Aitkenhead, said.
"When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that's just the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back."
London's Metropolitan Police said on Twitter that Palmer's shoulder number, 4157U, would be retired as a mark of respect. His former team laid a wreath Thursday in his honor.
"Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty, protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said.
His death drew tributes from politicians including Conservative James Cleverly, who said he served with Palmer in the Royal Artillery before he became a "copper."
"A lovely man, a friend. I'm heartbroken," Cleverly said on Twitter.
A crowdfunding campaign on the website JustGiving aims to raise £200,000 ($250,000) for Palmer's family; by Thursday evening it had surpassed £290,000.
"He will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC," Palmer's family said in a statement, referring to Palmer's football club of choice.
"He will be deeply missed. We love him so much."
Teacher killed
Aysha Frade's death was first confirmed by the mayor of Betanzos in Spain, Ramon Garcia Vasquez, where the teacher's relatives live.
Garcia Vasquez said Frade lived in London with her Portuguese husband.
"We are totally overwhelmed by the news and we send our condolences to the people in London," he told CNN.
A Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Frade was a British national, while her mother was a Spanish citizen.
Frade worked at DLD College London as an administrator, Principal Rachel Borland said in a statement.
"We are all deeply shocked and saddened at the news that one of the victims yesterday was a member of our staff, Aysha Frade. All our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with her family. We will be offering every support we can to them as they try to come to terms with their devastating loss.
"Aysha worked as a member of our administration team at the college. She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues. She will be deeply missed by all of us."
Tourists struck
Around 40 others were injured in the attack as the driver plowed into a crowd on Westminster Bridge, a popular spot for tourists to take photos of London's landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
Among them were 12 British nationals who have been hospitalized, May told Parliament. She said the victims came from France, Romania, South Korea, Germany, Poland, Ireland, China, Italy, the United States and Greece.
The injured included three police officers, who were returning from an event to recognize their bravery, she said. Two of them remain in serious condition.
The French Foreign Ministry said three French children were injured. They were on a school trip to London from the Saint-Joseph school in Concarneau. The ministry gave no word on the extent of their injuries.
"(Foreign Minister) Jean-Marc Ayrault supports the families of our compatriots concerned in this difficult time," the French Foreign Ministry statement said.
A man and three women in their 50s and 60s from South Korea suffered fractures, while another woman in her 60s needed surgery after sustaining a serious head injury.
In Australia, Attorney-General George Brandis told the Senate a female permanent resident from South Australia had been hospitalized after the attack.
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