Cayla Harris
obituary writer
Cayla Harris is the obituary writer for The Baltimore Banner. Before coming to Baltimore, she spent four years in Austin, Texas, covering state politics for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. She also previously covered New York politics for the Albany Times Union. Cayla is a New Jersey native and a graduate of the George Washington University, where she studied journalism and Spanish.
The latest from Cayla
The Baltimore firefighter with a beautiful voice and strong family values
Raeford "Ray" Earl Gaskins Sr., a former Baltimore firefighter who most recently lived in Gwynn Oak, died Oct. 17 of natural causes. He was 87.
The Baltimore lawyer who threw massive parties and could make friends with anyone
Jefferson “Jeff” Wright, an accomplished litigator who worked at Miles & Stockbridge for more than three decades, died Sept. 20 of cancer. He was 71.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ mom taught her to lead with kindness
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks will continue living by her mother’s example, she said, long after her death. Patricia “Pat” Alsobrooks died Oct. 9 after a long battle with dementia. She was 79.
The easygoing Baltimore County social worker who loved baseball and movies
Brian Turner, a longtime social worker in Baltimore County, died Oct. 18 after a long illness. He was 80.
The Bolton Hill resident who spent 7 decades making her neighborhood a community
Lottie Shivers, a staunch advocate of the Bolton Hill community who lived there for more than seven decades, died Aug. 22 of heart failure. She was 101.
The radio host-turned-speech pathologist who could always make others laugh
Alan Courduff, a longtime Baltimore radio personality and speech therapist, died Aug. 25 of complications from heart disease. He was 75.
Former Baltimore City Council member William ‘Pete’ Welch Jr. dies at 73
Former Baltimore City Council member William A. “Pete” Welch Jr., who represented West Baltimore from 2011 to 2016, has died. He was 73.
The Goucher College professor who made math fun and accessible for his students
Robert “Bob” Lewand, a longtime mathematics professor at Goucher College, died Sept. 29 of cancer complications. He was 81.
Artist killed in Fells Point attack was a ‘cheerleader for Baltimore’ and its arts scene
Claudia Bismark, the 76-year-old killed in an early morning attack in Fells Point last week, is remembered for her artistic skill, creativity and dedication to Baltimore
The Baltimore singer who made national charts — but always had time for local fans
Ronnie Dove, a beloved singer who charted songs nationally in the 1960s and ’70s but got his start in Baltimore, died Sept. 15. He was 91.
A vanishing man, a flying martini glass, mysterious footsteps: The ghosts haunting Hampden
The stories are little known: a mysterious vanishing man in a hat, a desk drawer that opens by itself, a coffin buried under the floorboards of a restaurant. This fall, Hampden is opening the door to some of is haunted history.
The Silver Spring sensei who carved space for women in martial arts
Carol Middleton, a national figure in martial arts and women’s self-defense who founded the D.C. Self Defense Karate Association, died Aug 11.
Former Del. Carolyn Howard, who represented Prince George’s County for 3 decades, dies at 87
Former Del. Carolyn Howard, a Democrat who represented Prince George’s County in Maryland’s lower chamber for nearly three decades, died Sept. 19. She was 87.
Gemma Hoskins, Baltimore teacher who investigated murder of nun in Netflix’s ‘The Keepers,’ dies
Gemma Hoskins, a former Maryland Teacher of the Year known for investigating the local murder of a nun in Netflix’s 2017 documentary series “The Keepers,” died Sunday.
Police arrest man in fatal hit-and-run in Poolesville
Montgomery County Police arrested Travis Edward Lowe on Monday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run on Sunday in Poolesville that killed Dakota Joseph Grimsby.
The Baltimore schools secretary who helped students and faculty behind the scenes
Martise Brown, who had been a fixture in Baltimore City Public Schools for nearly two decades, died last month. He was 35.
Catonsville native explores the intersection of satire and self-reflection in essay collection
Maeve Dunigan will join The Banner Book Club on Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss “Read This to Look Cool.” We spoke to the author ahead of her visit to learn more about her and her new satirical essay collection.
6 people wounded in 5 shootings across Baltimore early Sunday
Baltimore Police are investigating a series of Sunday morning shootings in Old Town, West Baltimore, Federal Hill and Curtis Bay.
Prince George’s County Police shoot at stolen car after driver flees attempted traffic stops
Prince George’s County Police are searching for the driver of a stolen vehicle who fled during attempted traffic stops in Bladensburg overnight Sunday.
The Annapolis community college leader who made nursing education more accessible
Rosalind “Rose” Rivera, a longtime Annapolis resident and nursing educator who worked at Anne Arundel Community College, died Aug. 10. She was 94.
