Cassie Fear, former owner of Fear's Confections in Lakewood, was fatally struck by a car on W. 130th Street on the West Side of Cleveland Saturday. She was hit while exiting her car after an accident with a parked car. The driver fled the scene, according to Cleveland.com. Fear died at the scene.
In a post on Instagram, the family asked for privacy during a time that "has left our family, friends, and past customers in profound shock and grief." The family asked that the authorities be allowed to investigate without interference and to "refrain from visiting the place of the accident, the old shop, or other places that hold a lot of significance to us in our memory of her."
Fear's gourmet brownies and chocolates were often featured on local TV and were heralded by Food Network chef Alton Brown.
While struggling to get her own small business through the pandemic, Fear used social media to uplift other small businesses using the hashtag #fearstakeoutfridays.
Fear's Confection closed in February 2023 after 13 years in businesses. She took a new job and began singing in the Siren Song Quartet.
"I’ve essentially missed my kids growing up while I tried to make this little business of mine work and now will be an opportunity to make that up to them," Fear wrote in a Facebook post at the time. "This new direction will enable me to see my kids, family and friends, enjoy the holidays, get an actual paycheck and get back to singing more often."
Fear appeared to achieve her goal of singing more often, performing several gigs with the Siren Song Quartet just hours before she was killed.
"We are devastated and heartbroken to report that our dear, sweet, amazing, fierce tenor Cassandra Majchrzak Fear lost her life last night in a tragic accident," a post by Siren Song Quartet's Facebook page reads. "We are without words at this moment but love Cassie with our whole hearts and wrap our arms around her family during this time.
Fear leaves behind her husband and two children, according to a GoFundMe raising money for her family. As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had surpassed its goal of $30,000, with more than 500 contributions.
The accident is under investigation, and no arrests have been made, according to Cleveland.com.
