Gone: The Story of Paul Alexander
When the skateboarder moved from Leicester to Bristol as a charismatic teen, he seemed destined for greatness. But then he vanished.
www.vice.comHere’s a concise update based on recent widely reported coverage.
Core answer
- The latest widely circulated reports indicate that Paul Alexander, the Texas-based polio survivor and former lawyer known as “Polio Paul,” passed away in 2024 at about age 78. Several outlets published obituaries noting his decades-long life in an iron lung, his educational achievements, and his memoir and advocacy.[2][3][8]
Key context and notable details
- Background: Paul Alexander contracted polio as a child in the early 1950s, which left him paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on an iron lung for respiration. He later earned a law degree and wrote a memoir, becoming a public figure who inspired many despite severe disability.[1][8]
- Death: Multiple sources report his death occurred in March 2024 (variously described as March 11–13, depending on the outlet), with tributes highlighting his resilience, advocacy, and relationship with his long-time partner; he was buried with the ashes of a longtime partner in at least one obituary write-up.[3][8][2]
Notes on sources
- The articles come from a mix of entertainment and news outlets, including an obituary-focused report in the UK press and coverage noting his status as one of the last people using an iron lung. If you’d like, I can pull the exact passages or provide a short list of reputable obituary notices for cross-checking.[8][3]
Would you like me to compile a brief timeline of Paul Alexander’s life from public records and obituaries or pull direct quotes from the obituaries for your reference? I can also search for any recent tributes or discussions in your area of interest.