Jonas Ellwanger’s death cuts short the promising journey of a courageous young athlete and student.
Jonas Ellwanger, a first-year student and swimmer at Sarah Lawrence College, passed away unexpectedly in 2025, leaving a community in mourning and a future full of promise forever unfulfilled.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jonas graduated from Anderson High School, where he showed early signs of dedication and discipline, both in academics and athletics.
At Sarah Lawrence, he continued that path as a member of the men’s swimming team, already placing fifth in the 50 breaststroke early in the 2024-25 season with a time of 37.95.
Jonas was the son of Jay D. Ellwanger and Christina Westfall.
His father, Jay, is a civil rights attorney and the founder of Ellwanger Law LLLP, a firm devoted to eradicating discrimination and defending human rights.
Jay’s extensive legal career and community leadership reflect a strong commitment to justice and public service.
Jonas’s mother, Christina, lives in Austin and has long been a visible advocate for Jonas’s health and well-being, especially after a life-threatening medical emergency in 2019, when Jonas suffered an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) burst in his brain.
At the time, Christina shared updates of his surgeries and recovery with hope and resilience.
Jonas Ellwanger’s Death Stirs Grief And Remembrance
Jonas’s death shocked the Sarah Lawrence College community and those who knew him back in Austin.
Just beginning his journey at the prestigious liberal arts college in Bronxville, New York, he had already left an impression as a driven and kind-hearted young man.
The college and his teammates remember him as more than just an athlete—he was a friend, a brother, and a light in their lives.
The exact circumstances surrounding Jonas’s death have not been publicly disclosed, but the grief expressed by those close to him speaks volumes.
His friends posted heartfelt tributes across social media in disbelief and sorrow. One friend, Trevino, wrote,
“I keep refreshing my instagram and Snapchat hoping none of it’s true bro I should’ve seen you this week I really wish I would talked to you more you were my brother from a different mother I miss you so much dude love you forever my brother you will be missed by everybody you had such an amazing heart and light to you rest easy brother I know you’re up there living happier than ever love you Jonas.”
Instagram
Other friends have shared their condolences, with Ian Irving writing, “Miss you, rest easy,” and Gabriel Syed offering, “rest easy brother, god is with you always. Joshua 1:9.“
Despite facing significant health issues in the past, including major brain surgeries in 2019, Jonas made a brave and determined comeback to both sports and school.
His death feels especially cruel to those who saw him fight through so much to reach college and compete again.
His sudden loss leaves a void that his family, friends, teammates, and community are still struggling to understand.
While his time was short, his impact endures—in the pool, in the classroom, and most of all, in the hearts of those who loved him.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- His top recorded swimming times included 28.75 in the 50 Freestyle and 1:19.15 in the 100 Backstroke.
- In December 2019, he received treatment at Dell Children’s Medical Center following his AVM incident.
- Jonas also had two sisters and was deeply loved by his family and many friends.
