On January 27, 2026, 26-year-old Allen Hornberger was exposed to a fatal concentration of toxic gas at the Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville, Maine. Allen was hospitalized in critical condition for nearly 3 weeks before ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Allen's parents are being represented by Berman & Simmons wrongful death attorney Elizabeth Kayatta.
Allen Hornberger was born and raised in North Collins, New York, a small town in Erie County. From childhood, Allen was a playful and bright boy who excelled at school. He attended North Collins High School, where he played soccer, ran track, and competed on the Envirothon team. He especially loved using his talent as a runner to fundraise through local charity races. Allen was inducted into the National Honor Society in recognition of his academic excellence, leadership, and service to the community. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 2018.
Allen’s passion for environmental science and engineering brought him to the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), from which he graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Allen started his career as an engineer at a paper mill in upstate New York while also pursuing his Masters in Business Administration.
In 2025, Allen moved to Maine to start a job as a process engineer at Woodland Pulp. He lived in Lee, Maine with his girlfriend and his beloved cat. Allen loved the outdoors and was enjoying exploring Maine. Allen and his family were full of optimism for his future.
Allen's parents released a statement:
It is with unspeakable sadness that we must confirm the loss of our beloved son Allen. For the past three weeks, we have been at his bedside in the ICU, praying for a miracle that never came. It is inconceivable to lose him in such a way, when there are still so many questions surrounding what went wrong inside that plant.
Allen was our only child and the light of our lives. He was a kind and brilliant 26-year-old who had his whole life ahead of him. The world is a dimmer place for the loss of his genuine heart and extraordinary mind.
For now, we ask for privacy, compassion, and space to grieve.
The same toxic gas exposure on January 27, 2026 also killed 20-year-old UMaine student Kasie Malcolm, who was working at the Woodland Pulp plant as part of a "co-op" internship. Kasie was hospitalized in critical condition and died the following day.
Attorney Elizabeth Kayatta shared, "Investigations by OSHA, the Chemical Safety Board, and the EPA are ongoing. This was a shocking tragedy that cost the lives of two promising young men at the start of their careers. Their parents hope to get answers as the federal investigations progress, and ask the media to respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved sons."
Press inquiries may be directed to Attorney Elizabeth Kayatta's office at Berman & Simmons.