Nearly two months after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a high-impact collision at Antigua’s popular Sugar Ridge Resort, 40-year-old Joanna “JoJo” Carlisle has passed away, her family confirmed in an official public statement this week. Carlisle had been held in a critical but stable condition in the weeks following the May incident, which unfolded when a passenger car struck the golf cart she was operating from behind.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Carlisle’s loved ones moved quickly to launch a community-driven crowdfunding campaign on the GoFundMe platform. Their initial goal was to raise €200,000, equivalent to more than EC$615,000, to cover the cost of transferring Carlisle to a specialized medical facility in Poland, where she could access cutting-edge advanced treatment that was not available locally.
When announcing Carlisle’s death on Tuesday, the family took the opportunity to extend heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of community members, friends, and even strangers who stepped up to support their family. “The overwhelming outpouring of kindness, donations, thoughtful messages, and continuous prayers has been a tremendous source of strength for our entire family through this unimaginable ordeal,” the statement read.
Alongside their thanks, the family announced a critical shift in the purpose of the ongoing fundraising effort. With medical treatment no longer needed, every dollar raised through the campaign will now be allocated entirely to supporting Carlisle’s minor children, covering their educational costs and building long-term financial security to protect their future.
“Our greatest goal now is to give these children the best possible start in life and a lasting sense of security for all the years ahead. Today, this mission stands as the most beautiful way to honor the memory of their beloved mother,” the family added.
As of the statement’s release, official law enforcement investigations into the specific circumstances and causes of the May collision remain ongoing, with no further updates on preliminary findings released to the public.