A fake GoFundMe campaign claiming to collect funeral expenses for a Massachusetts teenager killed in a Florida car crash raised thousands of dollars before it was removed from the platform in April 2025. The fundraiser was created without the permission of the victim’s family and falsely presented itself as an effort to support them following the tragedy. The incident prompted a warning from school officials, raised concerns about online fundraising during emergencies and led GoFundMe to suspend donations while it investigated the campaign.
Fake GoFundMe exploit the tragedy involving Hannah Wasserman
The fraudulent fundraising page appeared online shortly after three seniors from Concord-Carlisle High School in Massachusetts died in a crash during their spring break in Florida. It claimed to be raising money to help cover funeral expenses for 18-year-old Hannah Wasserman, one of the students killed in the accident.According to CBS Boston, the campaign appeared on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and had reportedly collected more than $8,000 by Wednesday. The fundraiser was presented as a way to assist Wasserman’s family with funeral costs, but school officials subsequently confirmed that it had no connection to the family.The Concord Bridge, reporting on the incident, said the fraudulent page had been removed after concerns were raised about its authenticity. The campaign had attracted donations from people who appeared to believe they were contributing towards the family’s expenses.Concord-Carlisle Regional School District superintendent Dr Laurie Hunter issued a warning to families after learning about the page. She made clear that it had not been created by the student identified as its owner and was not authorised by the families affected by the crash. Her message urged people not to donate to the fundraiser.The company also referred to its Giving Guarantee, which provides protection for donors in cases where funds are misused. The platform said it was reviewing the situation before allowing any money to be transferred. The removal of the campaign prevented further donations from being collected through the unauthorised page.
What did school officials say about the unauthorised fundraiser
The warning came at a particularly difficult time for the Concord-Carlisle community, which was still trying to understand the sudden deaths of three students and support another teenager who had been critically injured.CBS Boston reported that Hunter informed families that the campaign had been reported to GoFundMe and was not connected to Wasserman’s relatives. She also stressed that any efforts to honour the students or provide assistance should take place with the full consent of their families.The Concord Bridge reported that the fundraiser was taken down on Wednesday afternoon, April 23, following the concerns raised by school officials and members of the community.GoFundMe also confirmed that it had taken action after receiving reports about the campaign. The platform said its payment processor was holding the money while its Trust and Safety team contacted the organiser for further information.
How did the Florida crash affect the school community
The fundraising controversy followed a devastating accident involving 4 Concord-Carlisle High School seniors travelling in Florida during their April break.According to CBS Boston’s report on the crash, Jimmy McIntosh, Hannah Wasserman and Maisey O’Donnell died after their SUV collided with a tractor-trailer on US Highway 98 in Walton County on April 21, 2025.The vehicle was being driven by McIntosh when it struck a tractor-trailer that was attempting to make a U-turn in the median. The SUV crossed the median and travelled across the opposite side of the highway before ending up in the woods, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.McIntosh and Wasserman were pronounced dead at the scene. O’Donnell and another student were taken to a hospital in Panama City with serious injuries. O’Donnell later died, while the fourth student remained critically injured.The crash left the school community grieving three members of its senior class just weeks before graduation. All four students involved were 18 years old at the time.Hunter described the loss as devastating and said the school community would face the difficult days ahead together. The district arranged grief counselling for students and staff during the April school holiday and planned additional support when classes resumed.
How did Concord-Carlisle respond to the students’ deaths
The school community continued to organise support and remembrance activities following the crash. CBS Boston reported that students, families and staff gathered on Sunday, April 27, to remember McIntosh, Wasserman and O’Donnell.School officials also made grief counsellors available to students as they prepared to return to classes after the April break.O’Donnell was remembered particularly for her achievements in diving. She had won 2 state championships and helped Concord-Carlisle High School secure its third consecutive Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association title earlier that year. She had planned to continue diving at Williams College in the autumn.While many people wanted to provide practical support, the superintendent made clear that initiatives involving the families required their consent.