GoFundMe Page Set Up For Family Of Austin Man Beaten To Death On Greek Island

AUSTIN, TX — More than 500 people have contributed to a crowdsourcing campaign aimed at offsetting funeral costs and related expenses for the family of an Austin man beaten to death during a bar brawl while vacationing on a Greek island.

The GoFundMe page created for the family of Bakari Henderson has raised nearly $42,000 of a $50,000 goal since it was created on Saturday. Henderson, 22, attended Anderson High School before graduating from Hyde Park Baptist High School in 2013. He also served as an intern in the office of Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, according to reports.

The young man was enrolled at the University of Arizona at the time of his death. According to media reports, he was in the Greek island of Zakynthos at a nightclub when an argument ensued and he was set upon by as many as ten attackers. It's unclear what may have caused the deadly melee, but several men of Serbian ancestry have since been arrested in the case.

The drive is meant to raise money to transport his body back home in addition to defraying funeral expenses, according to its organize. As of early Monday evening, $41,923 of a $50,000 goal had been raised.

Related story: Austin Man Beaten To Death During Bar Brawl On Greek Island

"This is the celebration of life for Bakari Henderson," the GoFundMe page reads. "The love for this young man overflows and this loss is unbearable for so many of us. If you knew Bakari, you knew he was driven in life and no goal is never set to high for him to achieve. He was just starting his life, so many dreams and aspirations not yet achieved."

He is described on the page as a a man who "brought a light of joy to everyone who encountered him."

Along with pitching in to assist his family, several donors offered words of sympathy and praise for Henderson's personal attributes.

"My heart goes out to his family and friends," John Beckham wrote. "He was always the most polite and respectful young man the times I met him, and it's beyond heartbreaking that he's gone so young."

Heather Huffman also remembered Henderson as a polite, respectful young man: "We are just so heartbroken this happened and are sending everyone love and comfort. Bakari was always friendly, polite, and kind when I saw him in the neighborhood. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Ted and Cathy Reynolds remembered the young man's athletic prowess in playing a game of hoops with their sons: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bakari was such a great guy; we have many fond memories of our boys playing basketball together at Anderson. We are heartbroken and so very sorry for your loss."

Memories of the young man's character also resonated with Craig Freeman. "This young man was a friend of ours," he wrote. "We met him last summer in Barcelona Spain, when we spent a week together with a group of friends. This is a great loss. He was bright, congenial, his whole life ahead of him. I am proud to call him my friend.

Strangers, too, opened their hearts and wallets to the family, including Steve Kruse who wrote: "Didn't know Bakari, but sounds like he was a good dude with a lot to offer. Senseless act of violence which on the surface sounds like a hate crime. Hope the day will come where such a thing no longer exists. My condolences for your devastating loss."

A common thread in the comments was disbelief and shock that a young man with so much potential and poise could be taken from his family in such a violent fashion. "My condolences to his family," wrote Nicolas Alempijevic. "I can't begin to imagine the depth of your sorrow."

>>> Photo of Bakari Henderson via GoFundMe