Juanita Coco

Juanita Suzanne Coco (10 December 1975 – 2 May 1993) was an Australian child singer and variety performer who was a regular on the talent and variety television show, Young Talent Time. She appeared from 1987 to 1988, from the age of 11 to 13. Coco was often paired with Joey Dee for duets. She had replaced Vanessa Windsor on the show and was the 35th member to join. After the show's demise, Coco worked with a professional cover band on a regular basis until her final year of high school (Year 12). She then formed a young band, Milk,[1] who were working on original songs and about to start performing at the time of her death in 1993.

Juanita Coco
Birth nameJuanita Suzanne Coco
Born(1975-12-10)10 December 1975
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died2 May 1993(1993-05-02) (aged 17)
Malvern, Victoria, Australia
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Singer, variety show performer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1987–1993

Death

On 2 May 1993, Juanita Coco attended her boyfriend, Scott Tiedgens', 20th birthday party in North Melbourne.[1] At the end of the evening, she got into a Subaru wagon driven by a female friend of another guest, accompanied by Tiedgen, and his friend, Brad Lacey, 21 years old, and two other friends.[1]

As the vehicle travelled through Malvern, it ran a red traffic light and was broadsided by another vehicle.[1] Sitting in the back seat, Coco and Lacey were killed instantly due to the force of the impact.[1][2] The driver survived with no injuries and Tiedgen survived with serious injuries.[1] Coco was 17 when she died. A subsequent investigation found that the driver of the Subaru was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident; manslaughter charges were later dropped in court.

Legacy

Juanita Coco's mother Jenny Coco and her husband Patrick formed The Friends of the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, following their daughter's donation of heart valve and corneas. Jenny, accompanied by a scientist from the Tissue Bank, gave talks to groups about the personal side of tissue donation and the importance of discussing it with family. Since her death, her former high school, St Helena Secondary College, has presented, The Juanita Coco lnspiration Award, to the person(s) who avidly carry on the spirit of Coco in their annual musical production.[3] It is "voted on by the cast and crew" and the criteria include leadership, ability and compassion.[3]

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References
  1. Rule, Andrew (2 May 1999). "Death of a Star". The Age. Fairfax Media. p. 17. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. "In Brief". The Canberra Times. 67 (21, 202). 3 May 1993. p. 2. Retrieved 6 February 2018 – via National Library of Australia. Note: article incorrectly shows Coco as 18.
  3. Terry, Karen (19 August 2016). "Principal's Message". St Helena Secondary College. Retrieved 6 February 2018.

See also
  • Jessica Jacobs, an Australian child actress and singer who was killed in an accident whilst still a teenager
  • Charlotte Long, an English child actress who was killed in an accident whilst still a teenager
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