Shivangi Sinha
In 1995, Irma Proctor was living a peaceful and content life in Newark, New Jersey. She was grateful for all that she had. She took immense pride in her sister, Gloria Gaynor, who had risen to stardom in the music industry, and the bond between them was incredibly strong. That’s why, when tragedy struck in November 1995 and the family received word that Irma had been attacked, they were in complete disbelief. Just weeks later, she succumbed to her injuries, leaving an unfillable void. Lifetime’s ‘I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story,’ a film under the Robin Roberts banner, brings Gaynor’s life to the screen and underlines Irma’s significance in her journey and the lasting impact of her loss.
Irma Proctor Passed Away After Being in Coma For Weeks
On September 5, 1950, Queenie Mae Proctor welcomed her youngest daughter, Irma Lee Proctor, into the world. She was the youngest of six siblings, with five older brothers and an older sister, Gloria Fowles. Though the family faced financial hardships and often struggled to make ends meet, their home was never short on love. Music was a constant presence, and her brothers were deeply involved in gospel singing. It was a passion that soon influenced Gloria as well. In 1960, the family relocated to a housing project, and from there, Irma watched firsthand as her sister’s musical journey began to soar, which led to an extraordinary rise in the industry.
Anyone who knew Irma remembered her as a gentle and compassionate soul, someone who extended warmth and kindness to everyone she met. Her sister, Gloria, often spoke about how, even in the most challenging times, she was her confidante—always patient, always willing to listen. On November 23, 1995, Irma fell victim to a brutal attack in her Newark, New Jersey neighborhood. She suffered severe head injuries and slipped into a coma. Her family and loved ones gathered by her side, holding onto hope and praying for her recovery. But she never regained consciousness. On December 7, 1995, doctors delivered the devastating news—she had succumbed to her injuries.
Irma Proctor’s Killer Was Arrested on the Basis of a Tip
The police launched an investigation into the attack immediately after it occurred. Despite a crowd of onlookers witnessing the brutal incident, not a single person intervened to help Irma Proctor. Through evidence and witness testimonies, authorities pieced together what had happened that Thanksgiving morning. Irma had stepped out to buy cranberry sauce when she crossed paths with her neighbor, Arlene Shipman. Allegedly, they weren’t particularly close, but they had seen each other around and exchanged pleasantries. As they engaged in casual conversation, a man suddenly approached them.
As Irma excused herself and began walking away, she suddenly heard shouting behind her. She turned around and saw the man aggressively attacking Shipman. Without hesitation, she rushed back to intervene. In an instant, the man turned his violence toward Irma and kicked her repeatedly with his heavy construction boots. The assault left her gravely injured, and despite efforts to save her, the attack ultimately claimed the 45-year-old’s life. The attacker fled the scene immediately, but law enforcement swiftly launched a manhunt. With Gloria Gaynor’s growing fame at the time, the case drew significant media attention and further intensified the police investigation as they followed leads to track down the suspect.
Following a crucial tip, the police tracked down and arrested 18-year-old Rasheed Wallace. He had been hiding at his girlfriend’s home but did not resist when authorities took him into custody. He was charged with the crime and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Years later, he was granted parole. According to Gaynor, after his release, Wallace reached out to her family and expressed deep remorse for his actions. He admitted that he had been a reckless young man who had made a terrible mistake. While the pain of losing Irma has never faded, Gaynor found some solace in knowing that justice had been served.
Read More: Linwood Simon: What Happened to Gloria Gaynor’s Ex-Husband?
