WILTON MANORS, FLA. (WSVN) - Justin Flippen, the Mayor of Wilton Manors and a longtime LGBTQ advocate, has died. He was 41.
Wilton Manors Commissioner Gary Resnick told the Sun Sentinel that the mayor was on his way to a commission meeting on Tuesday, but he instead wound up being rushed to the hospital.
The city confirmed the 41-year-old’s death in a statement released Tuesday night.
“We are deeply saddened to share that Mayor Justin Flippen passed away earlier this evening. We ask that everyone respect Mayor Flippen’s memory, family members, friends, and our entire community that is mourning. Details, on when and how our community may come together to honor the life and legacy of Mayor Flippen, will be shared as they become available,” the statement read in part.
During the Tuesday night meeting, city officials learned Flippen’s absence was due to a medical emergency and decided to take a recess.
“We’re going to have to have a recess for a few minutes, so everyone who wants to make a comment still, you will have that chance, but we’re going to take a short break,” said one city commissioner.
Moments later, the seriousness of the situation became clear and the meeting was abruptly cut short.
“Due to an emergency, we are going to adjourn the meeting to a certain time, which will be our next scheduled meeting on March 10,” a commissioner said.
Flippen previously served on the Wilton Manors Commission and was up for reelection in November.
Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen died after he became ill on his way to a city meeting, according to the Sun Sentinel. He courageously shared his story of going through gay conversion therapy with me back in 2018. His story helped pass a gay conversion therapy ban in Broward. pic.twitter.com/llvjlTtF39
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) February 26, 2020
Very sad news to learn that my friend Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen passed away way too young. RIP 🙏@justinflippen @WiltonManorsCty pic.twitter.com/hJcJymwDAC
— Michael Gongora (@MichaelGongora) February 26, 2020
According to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, Flippen was located in his car along the 2200 block of North Andrews Avenue.
“The Broward County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed Mayor Justin Flippen’s cause of death was a brain aneurysm and the manner of death was natural,” said Wilton Manors Police Chief Paul O’Connell.
On Wednesday morning, a growing memorial in his honor could be seen outside Wilton Manors City Hall.
Flags on the property could also be seen lowered to half-staff.
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