A New Year’s Eve tragedy that rocked a community: A song honoring the tragic loss of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill
Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, were tragically killed on New Year’s Eve 2022 when a police officer in the vicinity of Addis, Louisiana, jumped a red light while pursuing a suspect. Both of the girls were killed instantly when the officer’s car struck theirs, and Maggie’s brother was seriously hurt but amazingly survived.
The Addis Police Department was only a few blocks away from the tragic collision. The offending officer was later sentenced to jail after entering a guilty plea to two charges of manslaughter and one count of negligent harm.John Foster Creates Music Out of Grief
John Foster, a biology student at LSU and a rising American Idol candidate from Louisiana, was one of the people closest to Maggie. Foster stated at his first audition that he wanted to merge his passion for music and medicine by becoming a “singing oncologist.”
Judge Luke Bryan gave him a tentative “no,” but his charm, Southern heritage, and strong audition made it a resounding “yes.”An Emotional Remembrance on the American Idol Stage
Foster returned to the Idol stage after reaching the Top 20 to sing an original song called “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which was composed in memory of Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill.
Foster was clearly crying as he sang, and the performance was unvarnished and heartfelt. “I love you, Maggie,” he muttered at the end.Touched by the occasion, Judge Carrie Underwood inquired about the dedication.
Foster clarified that the song was composed for two friends he wished he had known better: Caroline and Maggie, two of his closest pals. Then, clearly affected, he gestured to the audience, where the relatives of both girls were seated.Songs That Reflect Loss and Love
Among the song’s most poignant lyrics are:
“Every tear that falls on my guitar feels like a distant hug.”
Will you not tell that angel that I adore her, Lord?
You guys are living in the stars.
L&M Star Productions claims that Foster said:
“This was written in memory of the two adorable angels who were sadly stolen from us on New Year’s Eve. Caroline was a fantastic friend I wish I knew more about, and Maggie was one of my closest pals. Until we cross paths again. Much love to all of you.Maggie’s Legacy of Light
Foster’s homage was made even more moving by a personal detail revealed by Maggie’s mother, Erin Martin: John wore the same hat on stage as he did during his first live performance, which Maggie saw. It was a subdued yet impactful method of paying tribute to a buddy who had been there from the start.
Erin referred to John’s performance on American Idol as:
“A physical manifestation of the love and light Maggie left behind.”View the Touching Performance Below
John Foster’s passionate rendition of “Tell That Angel I Love Her” touched audiences and served as a poignant reminder of the strength of music, sadness, and friendship.To preserve Maggie and Caroline’s memories, share this tribute and watch the moving performance below.
