The Antrim, Bennington, and ConVal communities are grappling with the tragic and sudden loss of three beloved young men who were just starting their adult lives: Aiden Brissette, 19, of Bennington; Luis Torres, 18, of Antrim; and Seth Fowler, 19, of Antrim.
The three close friends, who grew up together and attended ConVal schools, died in a motor vehicle accident last Tuesday night in Francestown.
All three were deeply loved by their families and communities.
Fowler, the youngest in a blended family of five, graduated from ConVal in 2024. Fowler’s friends remember his passion for scooters, which he shared with his older brother, Dan, and his boldness for “big tricks” at the Antrim skateboard park. Fowler was a gifted athlete who also played baseball and soccer, and wrestled and played lacrosse at ConVal.
He worked in the family business, Fowler Automotive of Greenfield, with his father, Geoff, and brother, Josh.
Torres, who lived with his grandmother and siblings in Antrim, was a champion wrestler for ConVal and had been offered a college wrestling scholarship in 2024. Friends said he was very close to his family and adored his younger brothers and sisters, and especially his grandmother, Cordelia Oicles.
Friends said Torres had been excited to complete the process of getting his driver’s license and had been working hard on his truck in preparation.
“He was very proud of his truck and could not wait to get it on the road,” said friend Brody Edmunds.
Luis’ sister, Liasiah Torres, wrote that Luis deeply loved his family, and that he was “someone who could always bring a smile to your face and offer a comfort in times of need.”
Torres and Brissette worked together at a construction and concrete company, where they worked on projects around the state. Family members say Brissette was proud to be saving up for his first apartment.
According to family friend Crystal Marie Robinson, Brissette “loved his family, working on his trucks, and music.”
Brissette also loved fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
“Aiden was one of the kindest, most genuine souls you could ever meet — always smiling, always helping, and always making everyone around him feel valued and loved,” Robinson said in a statement on behalf of the family.
In a letter to the ConVal community, Superintendent Ann Forrest shared grief resources, including National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Hampshire (www.naminh.org), The River Center in Peterborough (rivercenternh.org), Monadnock Family Services (htmfs.org) , and Monadnock Community Hospital (monadnockcommunityhospital.com.)
“Our hearts go out to the Brissette, Fowler, and Torres families, and to everyone who is grieving alongside them. In this time of sorrow, we will lean on each other for strength, compassion, and healing. We stand together — now more than ever — as one ConVal community,” Forrest stated in the letter.
GoFundMe fundraisers have been organized to help the Brissette and Torres/Oicles families with expenses related to their losses.
The Brissette family page is gofundme.com/f/remembrance-of-aiden-brissette.
The Torres and Oicles family page is at gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-luis-r-torres.
Friends have organized a Meal Train for the Oicles family at mealtrain.com/trains/8n08o5. If slots are full, gift cards for food are also welcome.
Trends of Fashion Salon in Antrim, owned by Aiden’s aunt Paula Bissette, is auctioning off a $1,000 gift card to help the Bissette family with expenses. The raffle is available at the Trends of Fashion Facebook page at facebook.com/trendsoffashion.net.
The Fowler family has set up a scholarship fund in Seth’s memory.
“This scholarship would be available for young adults that are pursuing a career in a trade field. Not necessarily for school expenses, but for those, like Seth, that choose to become an apprentice and in order to enter that new field, need to invest in tools and equipment,” the family stated.
Donations to the Seth Fowler Memorial Fund can be made at any Bank of New Hampshire location or through SpotFund at spotfund.com/search?value=Seth+Fowler.
The Grapevine Family Resource Center is offering resources and support to anyone seeking help. The center is planning an upcoming event to help young people process the loss. For information, call 603-588-2620 or email info@grapevinenh.org.
Monadnock Family Services, at 9 Vose Farm Road in Peterborough, has a crisis clinician and peer support specialist available. Walk-in hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.