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This is heartbreaking. The names of the 22 casualties of the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, are being released one by one. Our sadness deepens as the brutal number of fatalities are given faces, humanizing this horrific tragedy that took away the lives of many people, especially young ones. One of the latest victims the Manchester Police have confirmed dead is 29-year-old out gay man Martyn Hett.
His best friend, Russell Hayward, tweeted the news:
“We got the news last night that our wonderful, iconic and beautiful Martyn didn’t survive. He left the world exactly how he lived, centre of attention. I’m in a really bad way so please forgive if I don’t reply. Thankfully I have his wonderful and amazing friends to keep each other strong. I love you Martyn. I always will.”
Earlier today, his brother, who initially posted search efforts for Martyn Hett, also confirmed the loss.
they found my brother last night. we are heartbroken.
— Dan Hett (@danhett) May 24, 2017
Taking a quick look into his life on social media, Hett was a person who lived life out loud.
The center of the party, Hett had many friends in real life and online, as his wit and humor earned him thousands of followers across many social media platforms. He also was a contributor at gay magazines including Attitude and QX. He offered his witty observations on pop culture in posts like “You can all shut up. Mel B is amazing – and here’s why” and “‘The X Factor’: When did it become so annoying?”
You could tell he was the type of person you always wanted around.
Hett also wrote about an experience when he and his boyfriend were featured on a reality show.
Martyn Hett shared:
Yes, I came across as a fairy. Yes, Russ came across as a dry little bitch. But essentially that’s what we are, just with lots of other layers that would make really boring TV. Childhood videos such as this one prove that we have always been the way we are, and if my one-hour of fame taught me anything, it’s that there’s always going to be a twat behind a keyboard that secretly wishes they could win £1,000 by drinking loads of wine on TV – like we did.
Hett even did drag! Fearless, Hett put himself out there and truly looked like a friend we wish we had in our own lives.
Hett had just quit his job at a PR company, and was preparing to spend a two-month holiday in the United States.
Before leaving the UK, he celebrated his trip with his boyfriend. He posted this chilling caption hours before the Ariana Grande concert, “Last day with my hun drinking prosecco in the sun.”
Since news broke, people have been commenting on his own as well as his brother’s Facebook profile, expressing their condolences:
“RIP Martyn. Someone who didn’t know you but so wanted to see or hear that you had been found alive,” one person wrote.
“So sorry to your family for the pain they must be going through. Judging from all the things I have seen you was a fun and loving person who brighten up the lives of people you have touched! Sleep tight,” said another.
Piers Petrus, a friend of Hett’s, posted a tribute to his late friend:
“Absolutely god smacked darling. Had to pull over and take a break to remember you and share some memories of our sporadic and hilarious meetings over the past 10 years. I think you sum it up the best when you said yourself – I’ll never forget that time you made me take off that shirt because you were wearing it too on your birthday – haha. Totally agree with Russell’s kind and loving sentiments. Although we drifted apart, your family and all your loved ones are in my heart, and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Martyn, love Piers.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Martyn Hett’s friends and family.
