DEARBORN — A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night for Fordson High School sophomore Ali Hachem, who died suddenly Sunday night.  “He was a good kid and full of life,” said Yasmine Ferris, Hachem’s cousin and a teacher at FHS. 

Family of Ali Hachem were joined by his friends, classmates and community members as they held candlelight vigil in his memory in front of Fordson High School where he was attending for his sophomore year and played on the school’s football team. Ali’s sudden and untimely death shocked and saddened the Dearborn community. PHOTO: Imad Mohamad/TAAN

Hachem was 15 years old, and family members say he was a healthy kid. He had just received a physical last week. The morning he passed away Hachem’s mother, Mimi Sion said her son was playing video games, and when she asked him how he was doing he responded, “fine,” and then 10 minutes later died.  

Hachem’s uncle Moe Sion who’s also a teacher at FHS said his nephew was very confident and always willing to reach out to his peers, and help them. He said many of Hachem’s peers were very emotional during his funeral Wednesday at Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkeley.  

According to reports, Sion says she heard something in the basement, and when she went downstairs Hachem was laying there. She shook him, and asked whether he was okay, but she couldn’t get a response from him. She called 911, but the paramedics couldn’t revive him.  Nearly 100 people attended the vigil, where Hachem’s peers described him as funny, loving, kind and somebody who always kept a smile on his face. “He was a class clown, and made everybody laugh,” said Moe. 

Ali Hachem pictured with his mother.

He was very active in several sports. “That’s all he ever talked about was sports 24/7,” said Moe. On the day of his burial, his coaches gave his mom his jerseys. A special tribute in remembrance of Hachem was expected to be held Thursday night at a FHS basketball game. Hachem was also a member of the FHS football team. 

“My mom and his mom are really close….she called my mom crying and we went to his house right away,” Ahmad Sobh, a relative of Hachem’s said. 

“There was never a day when he didn’t put a smile on my face. You could never get mad at him. We were both 10th graders and played football together.”  

His sudden death still remains a mystery, but an autopsy has been conducted. Results are not expected to be back for another 4-6 weeks. There is much speculation that Hachem suffered a fatal heart attack. Moe says Hachem planned on becoming a lawyer, and going into professional sports. “He was positive and wonderful,” Moe said.