Note: The above video shows the top headlines from the morning of October 13, 2025.

LUBBOCK, Texas— Twenty-nine-year-old Ryan Rodriguez, a proud family man from Lubbock and a skilled plumber, was rushed to the hospital with what he and his wife, Imani Rodriguez, believed to be a severe headache. Unfortunately, the outcome was worse than they had anticipated.

“They immediately took us back, did a CT scan on Ryan, and we had results within an hour, and that’s when they told us that he had a massive brain bleed,” Rodriguez said.

After being intubated for a week due to his aneurysm, Ryan underwent emergency surgery. Unfortunately, he lost his life on October 10, leaving behind his wife and eight-month-old baby, Asa. Imani tells EverythingLubbock.com that he was the biggest jokester, always dancing, making jokes and showering love on Asa, the son he adored more than anything.

“He loved being a dad, and he said that was his number one goal in life. And Asa loved his dad just as much,” she said.


Halloween Party at Covenant Children’s Hospital

Rodriguez told EverythingLubbock.com that this experience has been life-changing. Knowing that Asa will grow up without his father is heartbreaking. This devastating event was met with a massive outpouring of support from the community. Everyone has come together with remarkable kindness to help her in her time of need.

“I feel a whole lot of support from the community,” she said. “I have lots of people texting me, telling me that they’re praying for me, letting me know that whatever they can do, they will, whatever help that I need, they’ll help me with… Everybody has such open arms for this process and I’m so grateful that everybody is reacting that way.”

Rodriguez shared these comforting words for those experiencing loss:

“Hold whoever you love close and hold them for a little longer because you never know when that’ll be the last time.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the family. Imani shared that the funds raised will support her and baby Asa’s everyday needs, as well as cover funeral expenses.

The campaign is available at the link here.