Beloved Santa Fe Artist Remembered

Tuesday, at about 4:30 am CST, Santa Fe local Erin "Hoku" Donovan-Smith fell to his death from the 16th story of a Chicago building. An autopsy concluded the 25-year-old's death was an accident.

Donovan-Smith left Santa Fe about a week ago, according to one of his longtime best friends, Alex McDonough. “He met a girl in India,” he says, “and they used to run around together on rooftops.” McDonough says Donovan-Smith had been looking forward to going to Chicago to visit his female friend and run around on roofs. Donovan-Smith did not fall from the top of a building, but from a 16

th

-story window.

Donovan-Smith was, according to McDonough, "an amazing film-maker and a really good rapper. He made a lot of music and poetry."

Shana Hack, owner of

and Donovan-Smith’s former employer, says, “He was one of the best people I ever knew; he was a complete goofball and I loved him—he made everyone happy.”

Donovan-Smith's father lives in Italy and his mother lives in England, but, according to McDonough, both made immediate plans to travel to the states upon hearing of their son's death.

According to former classmate Joel Lecuyer, Donovan-Smith was a "vibrant part of the community and Meow Wolf" and an inspiration to many.

A memorial service will be held this evening for those close to the deceased.

"He made those around him feel good about themselves, which is a rare quality in people," Hack says. According to McDonough, Donovan-Smith "inspired the shit out of everyone."

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