Arlington Heights Man Injured At Riot Fest Dies: GoFundMe
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A 58-year-old Arlington Heights man, who was injured last month at Chicago’s Riot Fest, has died. Stephen Shult suffered an apparent brain bleed and was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition from the music festival on Sept. 22.
Shult’s death was first reported Friday by Metalsucks.net. Shult’s daughter, Jen Eaton, has started a GoFundMe to help pay for cremation and celebration of life services. It was originally set up to help with recovery costs for Shult. As of Friday afternoon, the campaign has raised nearly $3,000 of an $8,000 goal.
On Friday, Riot Fest sent out a statement about Shult’s passing via its social media accounts.
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“We are heartbroken to share that a festival attendee passed away yesterday,” the post reads. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly challenging time.”
According to Eaton on the GoFundMe, she had attended Riot Fest with her father, but the two separated for the final band, headliner Slayer. When Shult never met up at several designated spots, Eaton reported him missing. She said that after posting on Riot Fest’s Facebook page for any tips locating him, they were able to find out he was in the neurological intensive care unit at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in Chicago.
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Eaton said her father was checked into the hospital under the wrong name. She said by the time they were able to locate him, he had undergone a craniotomy due to brain swelling and a brain bleed. Shult had remained in the Neuro ICU up until his death.
“The on-site medical team responded to this medical incident, near the Ferris wheel area, prior to Slayer’s performance,” Riot Fest said. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing further details.”
Eaton said her father’s recovery was initially “going wonderfully,” but his condition began to decline over last weekend, and things “things were happening rapidly for the worst” by Tuesday. Doctors believed Shult was in a natural coma and had little to no brain activity.
“We were put in the position to determine the next steps. After more testing and another day of waiting for those results it was confirmed he would not have any decent quality of life moving forward if he recovered and we collectively, as a family, made the decision to let him be at peace,” Eaton said. “It was the hardest decision my family and I have ever had to make. Once made comfortable and removed from breathing machines, he passed very quickly.”
To learn more about the GoFundMe and make a donation, visit here.
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