Staples High School Student Dies Unexpectedly

WESTPORT, CT — Timari Rivera, a Staples High School senior and member of the boy's varsity basketball team, died unexpectedly Sunday, the school district announced.

"It is with great sadness that we lost a special young man in our high school community, Timari Rivera," Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice told Patch in a statement. "There is nothing more heartbreaking and tragic than the sudden and unexpected loss of a child."

Rivera was a Bridgeport native and member of the school's Cooperative Educational Services program, which allows students from other communities to attend schools outside their district, reports The Hour. He had attended Westport schools since the first grade.

A candlelit vigil was held by several students in honor of Rivera Monday night at Longshore, writes the news blog 06880.

The publication reports that he died of a recurrence of a medical condition.

"He had a huge heart and was a hard worker with big dreams," the Staples student newspaper, Inklings, wrote in a tribute to Rivera on its Instagram page. "We will miss you Timari. Fly high."

Added Scarice, "The high school administration is working with our support services in school, as well as in the community, to provide any and all supports to students and staff as we all grieve this loss."