West Haven Native, Writer-Director Jon Schnepp Dies At 51

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven native Jon Schnepp, a writer-director and animated series creator, recently died from the effects of a massive stroke. He was 51. Schnepp was perhaps best known for directing the 2015 documentary film The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?, which he produced with his fiancée Holly Payne. The film chronicled the struggles behind Tim Burton’s ill-fated Superman Lives movie that never got made.

Schnepp was also a key creative force in the animated series Metalocalypse, worked on the animated series The Venture Bros. and the Black Panther animated series, according to Collider.com where he was a personality and panelist on several shows.

Payne announced Schnepp’s passing on social media and on a GoFundMe page that was created to help with medical costs. Read the family’s full statement, via GoFundMe, below:

It is with a broken heart that the Schnepp family and I must announce the passing of our beloved Jon Schnepp, who died peacefully on July 19, 2018.

Jon ultimately succumbed to the effects of a massive stroke. He had a blood clot removed from his left carotid artery, but the bleeding could not be stopped. Irreparable and catastrophic damage was caused to both hemispheres and all brain activity ceased. His sister Deborah and I had to make the difficult decision to take him off life support. There was no possible way for him to recover. Please understand.

I spent the last hour of his life with him holding him, laying my head across his massive chest, kissing him, stroking his hair, playing his favorite songs, and telling him over and over again how much I love him. My life has been forever changed by Jon. I feel endlessly grateful to have shared 16 years of laughter, love and incredible adventures together, including making a feature film, as well as a television series later this year in his honor.

Jon's mother Miriam, his father Davis, his sister Deborah and I are devastated beyond measure. We appreciate your love and support, and most importantly your understanding of our privacy at this time as we grieve.”

Thank you,

Holly Payne

Visit the GoFundMe page here. Read Collider’s tribute celebrating Schnepp’s life here.

Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner.

Photo via Go Fund Me