US College Student Victim Was Federal Congressman’s Nephew: "Heartbroken"

On the 31st, a citizen is paying tribute to the victims at the memorial space for the victims of the 'Halloween crowd crush' accident set up in front of Exit 1 of Itaewon Station on Seoul Subway Line 6 in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Jo] It has been further confirmed that Anne Marie Giske, an American who died in the Itaewon tragedy, was the niece of a U.S. federal congressman.

Brad Wenstrup, a Republican congressman representing Ohio, issued a statement on the 31st (local time) saying, "Our family mourns the loss of our niece, Anne Marie Giske," and added, "She was a gift from God to our family, and we loved her very much."

Congressman Wenstrup also posted a statement from Giske’s parents on his office website. Giske’s parents said, "We are devastated and heartbroken to lose Anne Marie," and "She was a bright light loved by everyone. We ask for your prayers but also request that you respect our privacy."

Two Americans, Giske and Steven Bleshi, died in this incident. Local media reported that Giske, a nursing student at the University of Kentucky, was studying abroad in Korea for one semester. Although the news of her death had been reported earlier, the statement released on this day revealed that she was Congressman Wenstrup’s niece. Bleshi was also a student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia and was studying abroad in Korea as an exchange student.

Meanwhile, the Itaewon tragedy has so far claimed 155 lives and injured 152 people. Among the deceased foreigners are 26 individuals from 14 countries including Iran, China, Russia, and the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.