A man has been charged with making threats against the mother of the late Purdue University superfan and cancer research enthusiast Tyler Trent, who died at the age of 20 one week ago.
According to the Volusia County Sherrif's Office, John Matthew Pinkham was arrested on Jan. 7 and hit with a felony charge for making written death threats, which were posted on Trent's mother's Facebook page. Investigators discovered the 39-year-old Deltona resident had been posting under the handle "Julie Homan" and quickly took him into custody.
"Funerals coming and I will appear like the reaper,” Pinkham posted on Trent's mother's Facebook page, threatening to choke her. He also posted another frightening message, saying “just wait until yall hear what I do at his funeral..i promise I will make headlines..i will kill his mother.. just watch I will be talked about forever..this is no idol threat.” Pinkham is currently being held on $10,000 bond.
The story of Tyler Trent became a source of inspiration and hope throughout the sports universe. His upcoming autobiography, The Upset, is available for pre-order, and a portion of the proceeds will go to his $1 million goal of funding cancer research. The book is expected to ship in March.
Funeral proceedings will be held later today (Jan 8), and the event will be livestreamed. More information can be found here.
