20-year-old dies in sleep, nearly 3 years after loss of her best friend

RICHMOND, R.I. (WLNE): The Chariho High School is mourning the death of a former soccer player who passed away unexpectedly on Friday.

Hallie Linacre, 20, died in her family’s home in Richmond

Linacre’s best friend, and former captain of the Chariho High School girl’s soccer team, Maddie Potts, died nearly 3 years ago from a brain aneurysm during a game.

Stephanie Potts, Maddie’s mother, spoke to ABC6 news on behalf of the Linacre family.

Linacre went to bed with no symptoms, according to Potts. Potts said they are hoping the medical examiner can give them answers they are still searching for.

Potts and Linacre were inseparable on and off the field. Linacre even got a tattoo on her wrist after Maddie passed.

“Hallie was a year older than Maddie but they were best friends,” Potts said. “Hallie was a defender, Maddie a midfielder. After Maddie passed, Hallie continued to defend and represent the memory of her friend by Helping Maddie’s little sister get through this loss, and by starting fundraisers with her college soccer team at Nichols College were Hallie was finishing her junior year.

The Linacre family put out the following statement:

“Hallie was everything a person could want their child to aspire to be. A hard worker on and off the soccer field. Her smile lit you up, her laugh drew you in, and her hug warmed your soul. We take comfort knowing she is reuntied with her best friedn and teammate Maddie Potts. Thank you to everyone, especially our Chariho firefighter families, for your support.”

The funeral will be private due to COVID-19 restrictions, and a celebration of life will be held once those restrictions are lifted.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Maddie Potts Foundation, which is what Hallie would have wanted.