Cruel Twist Of Fate: Social Media Sensation Oliver ‘Bernie Baby’ Lomas Died



In a sad twist of fate, the adorably sweet Oliver Jack Carter Lomas-Davis, better-known as the instant social media sensation, “Bernie Baby,” passed away suddenly on February 25. Only four months old when he passed, Oliver died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, according to his aunt, Anastasia Lomas. The news was confirmed by Susan Lomas, Oliver’s mom, two days later.

Also called “crib death,” SIDS is mysterious as it is sudden and, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, typically strikes infants up to one year old. Thought to initially be a rumor, Snopes.com investigated and found that Oliver “Bernie Baby” Lomas indeed passed away.

A Social Media Star

Little Oliver and his mom, Susan Lomas, known as Souxsie (pronounced “Susie”) on Facebook, became instantly famous on and off social media when she dressed him in a shaggy, white-haired wig and thick, black-rimmed glasses. When she was finished, Oliver and his contagious smile looked just like presidential contender and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

She did this for the first time on New Year’s Day, according to the New York Times. Mom and Oliver strolled alongside a Rose Parade float that was pro-Sanders, and Bernie Baby’s social media career as Sen. Sanders’ lookalike took off from there.

Susan and Oliver finally got to meet Sen. Sanders at a Valentine’s Day rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Time. Mom proudly let anyone use and share pictures of Sen. Sanders holding the look-alike Bernie Baby, and they went viral almost instantly.

Bracing For Bad News

Just as the Bernie Baby phenomenon hit a crescendo, and people plastered pictures of Oliver and Sen. Sanders everywhere, the bad news broke. Anastasia Lomas, little Oliver’s aunt, commented on a Facebook post February 27 to confirm that Oliver passed away. The heartbreaking comment said,

This is my nephew, Oliver Jack Carter Lomas aka the Bernie Baby. He passed away Thursday due to SIDS at only 4 months old. We will be posting information about his funeral in a couple of days for those that want to attend. Please keep my sister in your thoughts.”

Anastasia Lomas Bernie Baby Died SIDS
Screenshot of Oliver “Bernie Baby” Lomas By Anastasia Lomas Via Facebook.com

Oliver’s mom Susan remained understandably silent at the time then two days later, she retweeted the Bernie Sanders Brigade video of Oliver.

The next day, Susan finally opened up and addressed her heartbreaking loss in a video of Oliver posted to Facebook on February 29 that said,

“Oliver Jack Carter Lomas… I love you dearly, I love you most. I love you with all my heart and soul. I know that God will keep you near since God and truth are here.”

Remembering Oliver “Bernie Baby” Lomas

Having little Oliver was apparently quite a surprise for the 45-year old Susan, according to the Daily News. She said she couldn’t believe she was pregnant, and that when she saw him on the ultrasound,

“She thought he was about the size of an olive. So she named him Oliver.”

Just eleven days after Oliver and Susan met Sen. Sanders, little Oliver was found unresponsive and was rushed him to the hospital, where he died from SIDS, according to the Daily News.

About 100 of the family’s closest family and friends attended a March 7 wake, and the March 8 funeral, held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, just a short ways from the family’s Venice, California, home in Los Angeles. Michael Briggs, a Sanders Campaign spokesperson, responded to the tragic news to say it was “very sad.”

SIDS And SUID

Although there is no outward or obvious cause for SIDS, the CDC states studies have found it linked to a baby’s sleeping position. As a result, the CDC issued sleeping and other guidelines, and SIDS deaths have decreased dramatically.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Rates Decline - Data Source: CDC/NCHS/ National Vital Statistics System, Compressed Mortality File.
Data Source: National Vital Statistics System, Compressed Mortality File – CDC/NCHS.

Although the CDC notes that the SIDS rate has declined drastically,

From 130.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 38.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2014.”

It is important to note, that the new sleeping guidelines do not prevent all SIDS deaths. Parents can – and have – lost their babies to SIDS even after taking every recommended preventative measure.

The family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover costs and donations poured in. The Lomas family quickly raised almost $10,000 more than their goal of $16,000 of which, according to the page, money left over after paying funeral and related expenses will go to a SIDS charity.

The passing of Oliver, aka the Bernie Baby, is indeed a tragic loss. For the brief time he was in this world, little Oliver brought happiness to his family and inspired a generation – an inspiration sure to last an eternity.

Featured Image: Oliver “Bernie Baby” Lomas By Susan Lomas Via Twitter.com.