NYPD 'Twerking Cop' Dies Aged 44 After 9/11-Related Cancer

A NYPD officer, who became an Internet sensation after a video of him twerking at a gay pride parade went viral, has sadly died aged just 44.

Michael Hance worked at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. He died of a 9/11 related cancer according to the New York Daily News.

Hance, who has two daughters aged 12 and 10, was diagnosed with brain cancer in November after collapsing at his home, which then spread to his lungs, liver and chest.

His brother Peter told the paper: "He loved being a cop. It was in his blood.

Credit: YouTube/Paige Ponzeka/Storyful

"Those two daughters were his life. They're going through a rough time right now."

He became a viral hit after a video of him twerking to Michael Jackson's 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' at a gay pride parade in 2015 was shared online.

Credit: YouTube/Paige Ponzeka/Storyful

Brian Downey, the president of the NYPD's Gay Officer's Action League told the New York Daily Post: "I was as impressed as I was happy.

"He isn't a member of GOAL or the LGBT community, but we were elated to see that video. It represented the true spirit of the police family. That's what 99.5% of cops are like."

Credit: YouTube/Paige Ponzeka/Storyful

Paige Ponzeka, who filmed and shared the footage wrote at the time: "Aaron had danced in front of a lot of cops but they were not as responsive. Then we saw this officer get into it. (Hance) understood what the parade was about - about having fun and being yourself.

"That was the best part ... that he was straight and was still having fun at the parade."

Hance is one of a number of cops to die of an illness due to working at Ground Zero. It is an issue which will continue to grow because first responders and people who were in the area as the towers fell breathed in a lot of dust.

The dust was considered highly toxic as it contained asbestos, lead and mercury. In 2006 a study also found, "75 recovery workers at Ground Zero have been diagnosed with blood cell cancers that a half-dozen top doctors and epidemiologists have confirmed as having been likely caused by that exposure."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: 9/11

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19