More than 100 people, including family members, classmates and friends gathered at a vigil outside Dearborn's Fordson High School on Wednesday to remember the light in their lives.
On Sunday, 15-year-old Ali Hachem died suddenly from a heart attack.
Ali's mother, Mimi Sion, said he was playing video games. That morning she asked him how he was feeling. "Fine," he said. Ten minutes later he was gone.
"I heard something in the basement. I went downstairs and he was laying on a chair, just laying there, and I shook him, 'Ali, are you okay? Are you okay?' And I couldn't get a response from him," she explained.
She dialed 9-1-1. Emergency crews also tried to revive him, but it was too late.
His mom said Ali was a healthy kid. It was just last week doctors gave him a physical and didn't detect anything out of the ordinary. Ali was an active teenager, a sophomore at Fordson involved in every sport. On the day he was buried, his coaches gave his mom his jerseys. He wore number 78.
"My son loved everybody. He's made everybody happy," said his mom. "When he was small he was Dennis the Menace, and now he's just everybody's love and he just embraced everybody."
Family and friends are now wrapping their arms around each other to help deal with their unexpected loss. Ali was always seen with a smile. Now that is how he will be remembered.
"Happiest kid you'd ever meet. He pushed everyone to do their best. Never was negative to anybody," said cousin Rabea Hachem.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:26:44 GMT
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements, a negative political ad hit the air.
Less than 24 hours after a judge bounced Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan from the ballot saying he didn't meet the City Charter's residency requirements and around the same time Duggan vowed to appeal, a negative political ad hit the air.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 8:49 AM EDT2013-06-12 12:49:07 GMT
This could be a game changer for Detroit's mayoral election. Mike Duggan was yanked from the ballot after a judge said he was not a registered voter in the city for a year before he filed his nominating petitions
This could be a game changer for Detroit's mayoral election. Mike Duggan, who was considered a front runner, was yanked from the ballot after a judge said he was not a registered voter in the city for a year before he filed his nominating petitions. He fell just 14 days short.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 10:38 AM EDT2013-06-11 14:38:08 GMT
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
It was late last week after the last day of school when parents received an unexpected letter in their email that reads more like more soap opera than something from a school district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
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Ali Hachem (right)
