Hundreds Turn Out 'Manhattan Strong' In Memory Of 2 Beloved Boys

MANHATTAN, IL — It started with one.

One phone flashlight lifted high, shining above the crowd of hundreds who stood still in grief. And then, seemingly without words, others switched on. A sea of lights glowing against the sky outside Manhattan Junior High—a snapshot of a world that has been turned upside down for two families.

Manhattan community members lined the sidewalk and parking lot at the school Thursday night, as Manhattan District 114 paid tribute to two students who died just days apart. Sixth grader Danny Bayles died Oct. 16 at 11 years old; eighth grader Chance Hunnicutt died Oct. 20. He was 13.

Red and green ribbons adorned trees and bike racks. The sidewalk was etched with words of love and comfort. Against the school wall, memorials for each boy grew as attendees dropped off flowers and keepsakes—the support a salve for a community's collective broken heart.

School and district leaders reflected on both boys, and the impact of their loss.

"... their bright spirits brought joy to those around them, and their absence leaves an ache that words can hardly express," said Manhattan District 114 Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne.

"Tonight, we hold their families in our hearts, and we hold each other close. Together, we will continue to honor their memory through the care we show our students, the compassion we extend to one another, and the strength we find in community."

"Our community's hurting," said Principal Vince Perillo. "Our students are trying to make sense of this loss. Our staff members are grieving. Our first responders, our friends at the police department and with the fire department are grieving. And our families are devastated by the passing of two remarkable young men.

"We have come to gather tonight to be with one another, to care for ourselves and to care for each other. We're here to stand beside the Bayles family and the Hunnicutt families and all of their friends and loved ones as they face the unimaginable. We are here for the students—all students—of Manhattan School District 114 and the staff members because this tragedy reaches far beyond Manhattan Junior High School. It touches every one of our schools, every one of our hearts. We're here tonight to honor Danny and Chance, two unique individuals who share many of the same wonderful qualities."

Danny died after suffering a pulmonary embolism following an asthma attack, his aunt Tiffany Oswald told Patch. He had been diagnosed with asthma at age 2, she said.

"Everything happened really fast," she said. "It wasn’t a sickness that was developing. This was really, a crazy moment, that’s just unheard of. Just so awful."

Danny was remembered as "unapologetically himself, genuinely himself." He was a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Church Pre-School in New Lenox, and he also attended Anna McDonald Elementary School, Wilson Creek Elementary School and Manhattan Intermediate School. He played the trumpet in the Manhattan Marching Band and the Manhattan Concert Band, and he was on the Manhattan School District #114 Fishing Club, his obituary reads. He also enjoyed gaming, especially Fortnite and Roblox, he was also a collector of T13 figurines. He was an avid reader and loved walking to the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library.

"He was caring and kind, especially towards his family and friends, especially when sticking around after band to wait for his cousin or showing up to competitions to cheer everyone on," Perillo said.

"He was quiet, but he was always listening, always wanting to do the right thing. But when you sparked his interest in something that he loved, like fishing, that quiet smirk of his would turn into a smile that could light up an entire room."

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Chance's death also stunned the town; the teen was struck by a semi while riding his bike in the downtown. In a GoFundMe started to support the Hunnicutt family, Chance is described as "full of life, laughter, and love.

"... always by the side of his twin brother, Ryder," the fundraiser reads. "The bond they shared was unbreakable, and the pain of losing him is beyond words."

Perillo remarked on Chance's warmth.

"He was a friend to all, always checking in on other people, his family, his peers, his teachers, and doing something that's very difficult for a young man to do: balancing manners and politeness with a sense of humor," he said. "He was open and genuine, a lover of reptiles, the Grateful Dead, and of course, shoes that he never wanted to crease."

A GoFundMe to support Hunnicutt's family has swelled to more than $53,000. Meal trains have been established to support both the Bayles and Hunnicutt families. Residents are encouraged to tie red and green ribbons around trees in the community—red honoring Danny with his favorite color, and green in honor of Chance.

Perillo commended district parents and children for their courage in navigating grief.

"In this time of heartbreak, the love and support that's been shown by our community has been deeply moving," he said. "You've had stickers, ribbons, signs—all donated by people that are wanting to do good in this tragic moment, trying to put into action to start the process of healing. Parents and community members, you are raising extraordinary children.

"On their own, without direction from adults, our students have shown the very best of humanity. They've coordinated ways to honor their friends by selecting certain colors to wear on specific days to honor them, creating memorials and keepsakes to be able to share with families, and taking time out of their night to decorate our schools with ribbons and sidewalk chalk. Even the littles over at Wilson Creek created a beautiful memorial to show their support for the students at Manhattan Junior High School."

The Bayles and Hunnicutt families sat in the front row at the vigil, with rows of supporters surrounding them.

Oswald said that Danny wouldn't have believed the number of people who came out.

"He never would have imagined this," she said.

Danny was close with Oswald's son Owen, and was like a son to Oswald, too. With a young brother, too, she thinks oftentimes Danny felt like a "middle child."

"I feel like he was he thought he was invisible and he wasn't at all—AT ALL," Oswald said. "He was probably looking down and thinking, 'Really?! For me?!"

She likened the community's support in the days since his death to a "giant hug when you feel a little bit alone."

After the speakers stepped back from the podium Thursday, the crowd lingered for moments before the first phone light was switched on.

"It feels like a Hallmark movie, or a Lifetime movie," said Oswald. "It’s the worst possible thing for anyone to go through, and yet you are surrounded by people who are showing up, and they don’t even know you. And they are there for you. ... Even in the darkness, there was that little bit of beauty that shined through.

"It’s really incredible, and I don’t think that you would get this in a lot of places. To say that we are all so grateful to be in a town surrounded by the neighbors of Manhattan. ...

"It’s the best place to have the worst thing happen to you."

Visitation for Danny Bayles will be held Friday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 7:30 p.m., at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. Funeral service will take place the following day, Saturday, Oct. 25, beginning with an additional hour of visitation beginning at 9 a.m. until his time of funeral service at 10 a.m. All services on Saturday will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 N. Cedar Rd., New Lenox.

Obituary information for Chance Hunnicutt was not yet available as of Friday morning.