An eight-year-old Nebraska cheerleader is dead after suffering a massive brain bleed just weeks after collapsing during practice — and now her grieving parents are taking legal action, claiming critical warning signs were missed.
Reese Bryan, a vibrant third-grader from Omaha, died on February 23, 2024, after spending three weeks in the hospital. According to a lawsuit filed by her family, the tragic chain of events began at practice with Elite Cheer Team, where Reese allegedly was required to repeatedly perform backflips, back handsprings, and other tumbling routines.
Her parents say Reese had shown up to practice appearing healthy. But during the session, something went terribly wrong.
She began vomiting. She couldn’t stand. She couldn’t hear. The left side of her face drooped. Her speech slurred. She started shaking uncontrollably.
Instead of immediately calling 911, Reese’s mother, Amanda Bryan, says she received a text message informing her that her daughter was “vomiting.”
By the time she rushed to the gym, it was clear this was no ordinary illness.
“The left side of her face was drooping. She was slurring her words. She couldn’t stand up. She was shaking uncontrollably. She was cold,” Amanda told KETV.
Reese was transported to the hospital by her mother, where she remained for three weeks before passing away.
Months later, in October 2024, an autopsy revealed the devastating truth: Reese had an undetected brain tumor that led to a catastrophic brain bleed.
Now her parents are suing both her pediatrician, Dr. Lars Vanderbur, and Elite Cheer, alleging medical malpractice and negligence.
According to the complaint, Reese first showed alarming symptoms on January 20 at a cheer competition in Kansas City. She reportedly experienced dizziness, horizontal nystagmus (rapid eye movements), and ptosis in her right eye. After collapsing, she was taken to urgent care back in Omaha and tested positive for strep throat. But her symptoms persisted.
Days later, her parents took her to see her regular pediatrician. The lawsuit claims Dr. Vanderbur diagnosed her with post-infection fatigue and did not order imaging scans such as an MRI or CT scan.
“She was never ordered an MRI, CAT scan, nothing,” Amanda Bryan told reporters.
The lawsuit also alleges the doctor failed to warn the family against strenuous physical activity — including tumbling.
Five days after that appointment, Reese was back at cheer practice.
The complaint further claims that Elite Cheer staff were aware Reese had experienced prior neurological symptoms weeks earlier but still required her to perform physically demanding routines.
“Elite and its owners, its employees and agents knew from recent past experiences that Reese vomiting during cheer or tumbling constitutes a need to have her transported on an emergency basis to a hospital,” the lawsuit states.
It also alleges that despite clear signs of medical distress, Reese was left alone and positioned behind mats while teammates were instructed not to approach her.
Elite Cheer’s attorneys released a brief statement to KETV, saying they were deeply saddened by Reese’s passing and that their thoughts and prayers remain with the Bryan family. Due to ongoing litigation, they declined further comment.
Children’s Physicians, speaking on behalf of Dr. Vanderbur, also declined to comment on pending litigation but stated that their top priority is delivering safe, high-quality care.
Neither defendant has filed formal answers in court.
Reese’s obituary described her as a vibrant, loving, beautiful, caring, generous, smart, and amazing little girl — a gifted athlete who lit up every room she entered.
Now, her parents say they are seeking accountability.
“We want justice for Reese so bad,” her mother said.
As the case heads toward a jury trial, one heartbreaking question remains: could this tragedy have been prevented?
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