Photo: Instagram
RIP John Frederick III.
By Amy Lamare — Written on Nov 06, 2019
The Masked Singer's Nicole Scherzinger took to Instagram last week to post an emotional plea about her cousin John Frederick III's death by hit-and-run. On October 26 around 3 am, Scherzinger's cousin was struck and killed by a silver Hyundai Sonata in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The car then fled the scene, leaving John Frederick III to die. He was 35 years old. The car is believed to have been anywhere from a 2009 to a 2014 model. He was hit on the 700 block of West Broward Boulevard in the popular beach town. Scherzinger called her cousin "John Boy." He was related to her on her mother's side of the family. Who is Nicole Scherzinger's cousin?
1. He was hit head-on
In her Instagram post, Scherzinger details the accident that killed her cousin. She wrote: "It’s like a nightmare that we will never be able to wake from…It is with the heaviest of hearts that I say goodbye to my beautiful cousin, John Boy. This past Saturday, October the 26th at 3 am, his life was taken by a hit and run in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Though I must take comfort in knowing that he is at peace with our Lord, I also know the agony our family is going through, knowing someone hit him head-on and just left him there to die. My sweet cousin, I love you so much. This world was a better place with you and your kind, creative heart in it. We will never forget you and will carry you with us forever. My family and I are pleading for any information which could help support the investigation into the tragic death of this incredible man. I ask that whoever did this, has the dignity and strength to come forward. Our God is a loving and forgiving God, but I pray for justice for John Boy and closure for my family. #JusticeForJohnBoy"
2. He was an artist
WSVN Miami reported that John was attempting to cross the street when the car hit him head-on and kept going. He was an artist and a caretaker for an elderly member of his family. His sister Jillian Frederick told WSVN: “He saw the car coming. He lost his footing and the car just plowed through him and left him there. I will always forgive you because that’s how we were raised and that’s what he would want. Please, please come forward.”
3. His head was split open
A witness to the hit and run told WSVN Miami: “I was standing on the side of the store. All I heard was a big crash. It sounded like a car hit a car. I never thought it was a person getting hit. I came around and saw a guy laying in the middle of the street, walked up, his head was split. There was blood, and I knew he was gone.”
4. A GoFundMe has been set up
A GoFundMe has been set up to help John Frederick III's family. As of this writing, it has raised more than $17,000 of its $20,000 goal. "It is with great heartache that we tell you on Saturday morning Heaven opened its gates for John Irvan Frederick the III. He is and was a faithful and loving Son, Brother, Friend, Artist, Lover and Caretaker. This time of loss for our community, family and friends is also a time for remembrance and giving. It is a time to pay back the love we received from JB. We, the community of Fort Lauderdale, are asking everyone to come together and assist the family in their time of need, anything you can offer is greatly appreciated."
5. His sister's plea
Jillian Frederick took to her Facebook page to post an emotional note about her brother. She posted surveillance footage and other information and captioned it: "Please help me find the person who killed my brother. Thank you everyone, I love you. This was my brother, my partner, my world anyone who knows us know how much we our family he was mine! And we NEED to find this person who stole him from me. Please share and reshare! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love him, he was my rock and one of the greats! Please god help us."
6. The police investigation
The Fort Lauderdale police are investigating the hit-and-run death of John Frederick III. They confirmed this on Twitter. The tweet said: "#FLPD PLEASE SHARE! We‘re investigating a fatal hit and run that happened overnight at Broward Blvd & NW 7 Ave. We‘re looking for a 2011 to 2019 silver Hyundai Sonata with front end damage. Anyone with information should contact our Traffic Homicide Unit at 954-828-5754."
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based writer and editor covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.