Deaths Died in April 2026

Van Zon in 2017

Carla Van Zon New Zealand artistic director dead at age 74

Carla Van Zon, a New Zealand artistic director, died on April 29, 2026, aged 74. She worked on international opportunities for New Zealand artists at Creative New Zealand before becoming artistic director of the New Zealand International Festival of the…

Garrett in 1983 card

John Garrett public figure dead at age 74

John Garrett, a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and television sports commentator, died on April 28, 2026. He was 74. Born in Trenton, Ontario, Garrett played in the World Hockey Association from 1973 to 1979 and in the National Hockey…

Mimi Coertse in Vienna

Mimi Coertse South African soprano dead at age 93

Mimi Coertse, the South African soprano, died on April 27, 2026, aged 93. Born Maria Sophia Coertse in Durban on June 12, 1932, she matriculated at Helpmekaar Girls High School in Johannesburg and began vocal studies in South Africa in…

Cornu at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix.

Jacques Cornu Swiss motorcycle racer dead at age 72

Jacques Cornu, the Swiss motorcycle racer who competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, died on April 27, 2026, at the age of 72. Born on May 15, 1953, Cornu won three Grand Prix races during his career. His best season…

John E. Franz American chemist dead at age 96

John E. Franz, an American chemist known for discovering the herbicide glyphosate, died on April 27, 2026, at age 96. Born in Springfield, Illinois, on December 21, 1929, Franz spent his career at Monsanto in St. Louis, Missouri, beginning in…

David Klahr American psychologist dead at age 86

David Klahr, an American psychologist, died on April 26, 2026, at age 86. He was known for his research in cognitive development, psychology of science, and educational psychology, including work on computational models of cognitive development and dual space search…

Ruby Duncan

Ruby Duncan American rights activist dead at age 93

Ruby Duncan, an American rights activist and advocate for low-income families and welfare rights in Las Vegas, Nevada, died on April 26, 2026, at age 93. Born Ruby Phillips Duncan on June 7, 1932, in Tallulah, Louisiana, she came from…

Gayford in 1964

Thomas Gayford Canadian equestrian dead at age 97

Thomas Gayford, a Canadian equestrian and Olympic champion, died on April 26, 2026, at the age of 97. Born in Toronto on November 21, 1928, he competed for Canada in the 1952 and 1960 Olympics in the individual and team…

Matt DeCaro American actor dead at age 70

Matt DeCaro, an American actor, died on April 25, 2026, at age 70. He was known for roles in Richie Rich, U.S. Marshals and The Wise Kids. DeCaro also appeared in the television series Prison Break as Correctional Officer Roy…