Livvy Dunne and boyfriend Paul Skenes celebrated New Year’s Eve in New Orleans just hours before a truck attack killed at least 15 people on Bourbon Street. Dunne, 22, posted a photo via Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 1, of a night out with Skenes, 22, and their friends Bubba Chandler and Allie Enright. The LSU gymnast also shared a photo of the packed Bourbon Street, accompanied by a heartbreak emoji.
Dunne and Skenes, who is making waves as a star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, have been dating since the summer of 2023 after meeting at LSU. Their friends, Chandler and Enright, have their own connections to the world of sports. Chandler, 22, is also a pitcher for the Pirates organization, having spent the 2024 season with the Double-A Altoona Curve and the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Enright is known for her time as a cheerleader at Clemson University, where Chandler played college baseball. Notably, Enright and Chandler have been linked romantically since at least August 2023, when Enright first appeared on Chandler’s Instagram.
The excitement of celebrating the upcoming year turned somber for New Orleans shortly after Dunne and Skenes rang it in. A truck later plowed its way through the crowded French Quarter, shocking the city and resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people, with dozens more injured. The FBI has classified this tragic event as “an act of terrorism.”
Among the victims of this devastating attack was Tiger Bech, a former Princeton University football player, who was only 27 years old. His brother, Jack Bech, currently playing football at TCU, shared his sorrow over the loss on social media, expressing, “Love you always brother! You inspired me every day now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us ❤️.”
While the city mourned, Dunne was preparing for the LSU gymnastics team's upcoming season opener against Iowa State on January 3. She officially graduated from LSU in December but had announced her intention to return for her fifth and final season back in July. “This past year I found a renewed love of the sport,” Dunne said. “I had trained a lot in the offseason, so I felt really strong and healthy from the start and ready to contribute. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the team this year and it all came together well. Winning the national championships was a great team accomplishment, but I feel like I have more to give as an individual competitor.”
Skenes, on the other hand, looks forward to the Pirates opening their spring training schedule on February 23, as both he and Dunne continue to balance their budding romance with their sports careers.
New Year's Eve celebrations often symbolize joy and new beginnings, yet this year, the excitement was marred by heartbreak. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential for tragedy amid festivity, impacting not only the lives of those directly involved but reverberations felt throughout the community.
Although Dunne and Skenes enjoyed the holiday with friends, they now face the dual challenge of processing the recent tragedy and focusing on their upcoming responsibilities as athletes. The resilience of the community and the personal determination of these young athletes might be tested, but they remain grounded, fully aware of the importance of support and solidarity within their circles.