shocking news: our sweetest vladik has passed away by a car accident. October 24, 2009 - Alushta, Ukraine. It was a sunny and mild autumn day with a slight breeze. On any other Saturday, it would have been called perfect. Flanked by family, countless friends and even strangers, Vladik Shibanov was laid to rest on October 24. In this small resort town of 30,000 many turned out to say their final farewell to a boy taken from us too suddenly. As Vlad's family wept, one could not help but feel the pain and sorrow. You didn't have to be related or even know Vlad to see the influence this boy had on people. His friends from university stood by Vlad's side stoically fighting back tears, some failing but putting on a brave face as most teens do. His younger sister could barely stand as she watched her idol get lowered into the ground...