The tragedy occurred at a BoxLunch industry event on December 5, 2024. According to other attendees at the event, Dominique Brown unknowingly consumed an unmarked food item that allegedly contained an ingredient she was allergic to.

Witnesses claim she was assured that the item was safe to eat before suffering a reaction. In the moments that followed, she reportedly requested to be taken to a hospital but was told to “take pictures first,” as shared by X user @hideyagrannies.

“She was my moms best friend of 10 years,” wrote @hideyagrannies. “She asked if there was peanuts in the food and everyone told her no.[..] So sad. [sic]”

Reporters who were present at the event witnessed Brown receiving CPR while emergency services were called. BoxLunch, the event organizer, later confirmed this in a public statement.

“We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch on Thursday in Los Angeles,” the company stated on December 7, 2024.

They added, “Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.”

A source close to the event said that 911 was called immediately and confirmed that BoxLunch had previously communicated the allergy needs of attendees to the venue. BoxLunch is now conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

In addition, the company has offered grief counseling to staff members and members of the BoxLunch Collective, which is the group of influencers with whom they regularly collaborate.

Brown was a prominent figure in the Disney community, known online as HellooDomo. She co-founded Black Girl Disney, a platform dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the Disney fandom.

Her passion for Disney and her unique fashion sense made her a standout figure in the community. Brown’s brother, Patrick Ramos, shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram under Brown’s final Instagram post.

“I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light,” he wrote. “Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did.”

“I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart,” he added.

The Disney community has been deeply affected by Brown’s death, with many paying tribute to her legacy. Kicks at the Castle, a collective that blends sneaker culture with Disney fandom, honored Brown with a touching message celebrating her style, energy, and lasting impact.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of a dear friend and beloved member of our Kicks at the Castle family, Domo,” the group shared.

“A true bright light in the Disney community, Domo’s energy, style, and love for all things Pooh made her unforgettable,” they wrote. “Her outfits and kicks were always fire, earning her the title of ‘Fit of the Week’ countless times, but it was her warmth and joy that truly stole the show.”

They also extended their condolences to Brown’s loved ones, stating, “Our hearts go out to her family and especially to our brother Zay. The love and joy the two of you shared was nothing short of a Disney fairytale—a story of style, happiness, and inspiration for all who knew you. Rest easy, Domo. You’ll forever be a part of our Kicks at the Castle family, and your legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone you touched.”

Other influencers and community members shared their own emotional tributes. Influencer Katy Layne V expressed how profoundly Brown’s presence affected those around her.

“Seeing everyone’s post about sweet Dominique just goes to show how impactful she was to so many people,” she wrote on her Instagram story.

“Not only was she beautiful on the outside but her soul matched and her smile and energy stuck with anyone who was lucky enough to be in her presence, even if it was just for a short amount of time. She was and will continue to be loved by us all. It is unfathomable to me how avoidable this was. She should still be here. This is not ok,” the tribute read.

Other community members expressed frustration and sadness at how preventable the situation seemed to be. Andrea Pugh Kelley described Brown as “a girls GIRLLLLL!!! [sic]” and shared personal anecdotes about Brown’s kindness and generosity.