June 18th 2025.
On June 16, the world mourned the loss of Esaw Snipes-Garner, the widow of Eric Garner who passed away at the age of 58 due to undisclosed health complications. For over a decade, Snipes-Garner and her family have been in the public eye, ever since her husband was tragically killed by a New York City police officer in 2014 for selling individual cigarettes. Despite the immense pain and suffering she endured, Snipes-Garner remained a passionate advocate for justice, alongside her family.
Dominique Sharpton, director of membership for the National Action Network, spoke about Snipes-Garner's strength and resilience in the face of such tragedy. "Tragedy can beget tragedy in life, and she weathered more than any single person ever should have—especially the loss of a child," Sharpton stated in a heartfelt statement to the New York Amsterdam News. "Yet Esaw found the resolve to keep going, keep fighting, and protect her family. She showed the nation the emotional impact unjust police killings of Black and Brown Americans can have on those left to pick up the pieces."
Picking up the pieces after her husband's murder was no easy feat for Snipes-Garner. Not only did she have to witness the officer responsible, Daniel Pantaleo, face no consequences for his actions, but the New York prosecutors and Justice Department also declined to bring charges against him. To make matters even more heartbreaking, Snipes-Garner's daughter Erica Garner passed away at the young age of 27 from a fatal heart attack.
Despite the immense pain and grief, Snipes-Garner did receive a settlement of $5.9 million, as reported by the New York Daily News, but she chose to keep her identity hidden and move away from the NYHA apartment. She wanted to create a peaceful and loving environment for her family, away from the constant spotlight and reminders of the tragic events that occurred.
In a 2018 interview with the outlet, Snipes-Garner expressed her desire to live a quiet and content life. "I don't want to be relevant anymore," she said. "I just want to live my life, raise my grandchildren, and let them see something different than New York City projects and shootings." And that is exactly what she did. Snipes-Garner lived peacefully in an undisclosed location, cherishing every moment with her loved ones. "I still have a lot of life to live. I still have a lot of love to give to my children, to my grandchildren, to my mom," she shared. "I'll never be completely happy, but I can be content."
As the news of Snipes-Garner's passing spread, no funeral arrangements have been announced yet. The world will continue to remember her as a strong and courageous woman who fought for justice and loved her family with all her heart. Her legacy will live on, and her impact will never be forgotten.
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