Local Band Honors Memory of Lemont Teen, a 'Great Friend, Fan'

Alexa Turner loved the local band The Threads, and the feeling was mutual.

Turner, 17, had plans to attend the band’s Sept. 3 show, but was tragically struck and killed by a Metra train the day before. Authorities say she was wearing headphones at the time, and her death was ruled an accident. The band has since honored her fandom and her memory with a $1,000 donation to a memorial fund in her name.

“Lexi” was a longtime fan of the band, a representative told Patch. They spoke on Facebook of their ”a beautiful, dear friend. We will truly miss seeing her in the front row.”

Family member Amanda Bekas said the family was touched to see her adoration of the band reciprocated.

“My beautiful niece was a fan of yours, and now I will be, too,” wrote Amanda Bekas on the band’s Facebook page.

“Our family was so amazed by their generous donation,“ Bekas told Patch. “We don’t know these young men personally, but are amazed at their character.”

The band—with members Nick Abboud, Sam Abboud, Justin Bell, Rick Sniegowski—said the donation was just a small gesture to show their support for her family and friends.

“All we can say about Lexi are good things,” one band member told Patch. “She was a dear friend of band member Justin Bell. It was the least any of us could do for such a great friend and fan.”

Anyone interested in donating can visit the Lexi Turner Memorial Fund. As of Thursday, Sept. 10, $14,175 had been raised.