Erika Hynes, co-owner of Little Type Mailorder has passed away after a long illness. Lookout! Records co-founder Larry Livermore made this statement:

Erika "Crumbly" Hynes passed away this afternoon. She was at home, having been discharged from the hospital this morning, and surrounded by people who loved her. She was conscious up until five or ten minutes before her death, and laughing and smiling at the messages I was reading to her from some of her online buddies.

The cause of her death was complications from liver failure. She had been ill for a long time, and as of a few days ago the doctors informed the family that there was nothing more they could do for her. A liver transplant was ruled out because her body was too weak and could never have stood the shock of surgery.

Although her illness was long and difficult, Erika's actual passing was gentle and without pain or trauma. She had been longing to leave the hospital and see her beloved home again, and today she finally got her wish. She was lying in her own bed, with familiar faces and things around her, got to see her little dog Lucy once more, and take one last peek at the internet before settling back into her pillows and going to sleep.

Our condolences to Erika's friends and family.