A follow-up post on Natasja's death

The death of Natasja was frontpage news in Denmark, and some more information about her death has come out.

It seems like the driver of the car that Natasja was in was drunk, and probably high as well. On top of that it's speculated that he was speeding and that Natasja wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
If this is true, then this was not only a sad and meaningless death, it was a very avoidable death. If any one of these factors had been different, Natasja's death could have been prevented. There are three cardinal rules for driving:

a) Don't drive while under influence or while tired. This affects your reaction time and ability to make correct judgements.
b) Don't speed. In most places, the speed limits are set according to local conditions, and breaking them not only risk the health of you and your passengers, but it also risks everyone in the area.
c) Wear your seatbelt. It's a known lifesaver. It's speculated that Karen Mukupa was relatively unharmed in the accident because she was wearing her seatbelt.

Please, everyone, follow these rules if you are driving. You don't only risk yourself, but also everyone in the car, and everyone in your area.

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At the moment, Natasja's body is still in Jamaica, and her mother and friends are working on getting it to Denmark for a burial. It was feared that the cost of the transportation (100-200,000 kr., approx € 15-30,000) would have to be covered by the family, but it turns out that the insurance for musicians in Denmark will cover it. Instead her friends are collecting money for a proper burial for Natasja, and financial support for her mother.

A memorial concert is in the works, but no details have been released yet. Apparently a large number of Danish artists have contacted Natasja's manager, and said that they want to play at her memorial concert, so it will undoubtfully happen. For futher development in this matter, I refer to Natasja's Myspace page, which is updated with news.

Shortly before her death, Natasja had finished an album in Danish. It was set to be released on August 27th, but as of this moment, the album's future is uncertain, and no decisions will be made until after her burial.
My guess will be that the release will be postponed, but it will be released. I also predict that it will have good sales by Danish standards.

Update: Todays webpapers say that Natasja's mother has said that she think that the album should be released, since it would not be in the spirit of Natasja to waste all her hard work.

For a blogpost about Natasja, focusing on her music, I recommend this post by an old friend of mine, Matthias Wivel. Matthias didn't know Natasja personally, but he has known her music since the start.