Latest news with #Costas
Metro
30-06-2025
- Metro
'Kind and welcoming' British pilot found dead at US Navy base with gunshot wound
A24-year-old British pilot was found dead at a US Navy base with a gun shot wound to his head, an inquest heard. Costas Georgellis died on April 29 this year while training to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas. Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss said the death had the 'hallmarks of suicide', The Sun reports. He did not say whether a criminal investigation was under way. The inquest was adjourned while the court waits for further details and records from authorities in the US. Former Loughborough University student, Costas, received a funeral with full military honours, in Amersham in Buckinghamshire, where his parents live. Mourners were encouraged to wear red, white and blue, the colours of his birth country and of his adopted country, the US as well as purple, the colour of Loughborough University's hockey team, which he was a member of. His parents also set up a fundraising page in aid of mental health charities Mind and US charity, Brandon Caserta Foundation. More than £2,000 was donated. Loughborough University's men's hockey team paid tribute on Instagram, writing: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. More Trending 'Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' Meanwhile his parents said their son's 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. Writing on the fundraising page they added: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. He will never be forgotten. 'We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@ or visit for more information. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Two firefighters shot dead by sniper during Idaho wildfire MORE: Anyone envious of 'perks' I get as a disabled person doesn't understand MORE: I'm a former night owl who now loves waking up at 5am
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Talented' Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound
British pilot Costas Georgellis, 24, was tragically found dead at a US Navy base in Texas - as his family and friends have paid emotional tributes following his death A "talented" pilot who was discovered dead at a US Navy suffered a fatal shotgun wound to his head, an inquest has heard. Brit Costas Georgellis, 24, was learning to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas, before he died on April 29. Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss believes his death has the 'hallmarks of suicide'. Tributes have since flooded in for the Loughborough University graduate, who has been described as "one in a million" by his friends. His loved ones paid their respects at his funeral which was given full military honours in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. His mother and father said his 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. The tribute, which was posted online, said: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. "He will never be forgotten. We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' His university hockey team paid tribute on social media and said he was a "cherished part of our club", reports The Sun. They said: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' His close pal Morgan said: "Costas very quickly became a very close friend of mine at university after he came back from his placement at QinetiQ and we began sharing classes. I have countless great memories with him, from being in his first flight after achieving his pilot's license, watching the spitfire take off beside us, to standing out in the pouring rain at the international air tattoo with the F-22s roaring past and shaking us to our core." He added: "He had a way of creating this relaxed, carefree energy that I'm not sure I'll ever find again. It is rare that you find anyone without a bad bone in their body; someone who you knew without a doubt would always have your back no matter what. "Costas was that person. A great friend, a talented man, and someone who I will always miss not being in my corner." The inquest was adjourned until the US authorities send further documents and records. A fundraiser has been launched to support mental health charity, Mind. You can donate here.
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound to the head
Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live BRIT TOP GUN DEAD Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound to the head Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT pilot was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard. Costas Georgellis, 24, had been training to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas, when he died on April 29. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Brit pilot Costas Georgellis was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard Credit: Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss suggested the death has the 'hallmarks of suicide' and did not confirm if a criminal probe was under way. The inquest was adjourned until further details and records are sent by US authorities. Loughborough University graduate Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live. Attendees wore red, white and blue - the colours of his home country Britain and adopted country America - and the purple of Loughborough University's hockey team. Hockey star Costas' parents also set up a fundraising page which got £2,360 in donations for mental health charities Mind and The Brandon Caserta Foundation (US). Loughborough uni's mens hockey team wrote on Instagram: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. 'Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' A tribute posted online by his mum and dad said his 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. It added: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. He will never be forgotten. 'We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' 2 Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live Credit:
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit pilot, 24, found dead at US Navy base with shotgun wound to the head
A BRIT pilot was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard. Costas Georgellis, 24, had been training to be a fighter pilot at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas, when he died on April 29. Advertisement 2 Brit pilot Costas Georgellis was found dead at a US Navy base after suffering a shotgun wound to his head, an inquest heard Credit: Assistant coroner for West London Richard Furniss suggested the death has the 'hallmarks of suicide' and did not confirm if a criminal probe was under way. The inquest was adjourned until further details and records are sent by US authorities. Loughborough University graduate Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live. Attendees wore red, white and blue - the colours of his home country Britain and adopted country America - and the purple of Loughborough University's hockey team. Advertisement read more on uk news Hockey star Costas' parents also set up a fundraising page which got £2,360 in donations for mental health charities Mind and The Brandon Caserta Foundation (US). Loughborough uni's mens hockey team wrote on Instagram: 'We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our former teammate, committee member and friend, Costas Georgellis. 'Costas was a cherished part of our club, known for his kindness, welcoming spirit and of course his backhand hit through his legs.' A tribute posted online by his mum and dad said his 'infectious laugh and kind heart made the world a better place'. Advertisement Most read in The Sun It added: 'He lived an amazing life, full of adventure, always pursuing his dreams with determination and bravery. He will never be forgotten. 'We invite all of those whose life he touched to share their memories and photos below for family and friends to cherish.' 2 Costas was given a funeral with full military honours in Amersham, Bucks, where his parents live Credit: World's biggest warship $13bn USS Gerald Ford performs high-speed turns and passes explosive Shock Trials
Chicago Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Nearly $10 million in Valparaiso roads and projects planned for summer of improvements
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said $9.4 million in funds for 2025 for city infrastructure improvements ranks as the city's 'largest-ever road resurfacing program, including collector, arterial and neighborhood streets.' 'With more than 175 miles of roadways, plus sidewalks and pathways, along with water and sewer improvements, we're working smart to enhance and promote sustainability,' Costas said in a release. 'Prior to 2024, the city had been committed to about $3.5 million annually to road maintenance, which was a productive increase over the annual paving budget of just $300,000 when I first took office more than 20 years ago. Certainly, costs have increased, but this aggressive annual budget reflects a renewed priority on roadways.' The city has launched an aggressive schedule of infrastructure projects this season, working strategically to maximize the miles and lifespan for roadways and capital projects citywide, Costas said. The 2025 paving program has plans to improve 62 lane miles, plus 40 miles of crack sealing and more than a mile of sidewalks. As part of this year's efforts, the city will also test a new road preservation method called Rejuvenation on 3.5 lane miles of recently resurfaced streets to help extend their lifespan. Council member Barbara Domer, D-3rd who serves as the council liaison for the Valparaiso Board of Works, began updating the mayor, council and public about progress in the early spring. 'Last month in May the contract was awarded to Milestone for the local streets package for about $2.9 million with an engineering estimate that was $3.2 million, so that was a money savings,' Domer said. 'The 2025 Community Crossings bid went to Rieth Riley Construction for $3.3 million with an engineering estimate of $3.6, also amounting to extra money left over. But for the 2025 sidewalk package, the bid was approved to New Tech for $652,000 and that was a bit over the engineering estimate but overall, between these two packages, we are still under.' Costas said among the 2025 project highlights this summer is a city and county partnership led by Valparaiso's engineering department to fund needed road improvements to Hayes-Leonard and Bartz roads, stretches shared between city and county jurisdiction. Costas said both roads were candidates for paving based on their low PASER ratings. As part of the Valparaiso 'thoroughfare plan,' created more than a decade ago, this summer will be the final phase to complete the extension of Goodrich Road between Ransom and Vale Park roads including a pathway on the west side while allowing for improvements to the water main and adding better drainage, according to Costas. Funding sources for this season's paving program include a $1.5 million Community Crossings matching grant awarded through the Indiana Department of Transportation, as well as funds from the local road and street fund and the motor vehicle fund, along with a short-term bond that will not result in the need to raise any taxes or fees, officials said. Costas reminded targeted roads are selected for paving based on the national PASER (Pavement Assessment Surface Evaluation Rating) rating system which assigns a value of 1 through 10 to each roadway. The number reflects the quality, including the amount and frequency of cracks and potholes. A brand new road is rated a 10 in contrast to older fractured streets requiring extensive reconstruction ranked at 1 and 2. The city's engineering department 'combines PASER data with other factors such as functional classification and traffic levels to provide a recommendation. We are also aware of future projects pending with Valparaiso City Services and NIPSCO that might affect the timing of projects,' said Max Rehlander, Valparaiso's director of engineering. 'We work to maximize our funding for the best long-term results.' In addition to roadway improvements, Valparaiso City Services is focused on $76 million of generational capital improvements in addition to yearly capital replacements to both upgrade and extend the lifespan of the city's water and sewer infrastructure. 'Investment in our utilities' infrastructure ensures clean drinking water, a cleaner environment and important safety features – all necessary in maintaining Valparaiso's quality of life,' VCS Executive Director Steve Poulos said. Rate adjustments approved in 2024 are funding these projects under a timeline that will continue through 2028. Among this year's VCS projects is more than $1.4 million in water main replacements as well as critical hydrant and valve replacements, plus sanitary sewer relining and manhole rehabilitation. In addition, VCS is finalizing plans for the future of Valparaiso's water resources which include further investigation and likely implementation for the introduction of lake water as an additional source. An interactive project list with a complete listing of roadway and capital projects is available in an interactive map at To report a roadway or sidewalk that needs attention, visit and enter key information at the 'Voice a Concern' icon found on the homepage.
