Updated August 01, 2025 10:40PM

UPDATE: Jacob's Pillow Production Manager Dies in Accident on Grounds

11:18AM / Saturday, August 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Updated on Aug. 2, 2025 at 11 am — The Berkshire District Attorney's Office reported that there are no criminal charges being brought to the accidental death of the Jacob's Pillow summer employee, 40-year-old Kathryn "Kat" Sirico o Rochester, N.Y.

After an investigation it was found that the events leading to Sirico's death were related to a work-place accident.

In the early afternoon of Friday Aug. 1, Sirico and a summer intern were moving platforms used for staging for a theater across the Jacob's Pillow property. The platforms were on a dolly. As the victim and intern began moving the dolly down a sloped area, they lost control of the dolly, and it began to roll. The Sirico attempted to regain control of the dolly; however, tripped and fell. The dolly ran over Sirico and the platforms fell from the dolly, landing on Sirico. Bystanders attempted life saving measures.

Becket Police responded to the scene at approximately 12:31 p.m. At approximately 12:35 p.m, the Town of Becket's Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene. Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office also responded to the scene.

The official cause of death will be announced by the Medical Examiner.

BECKET, Mass. — Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival on Friday night identified the person who died on the grounds earlier in the day as a member of its staff.

The venue reported that a "tragic accident" occurred outdoors Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of one of the company's production managers, Kat Sirico.

There were no other injuries.

"Kat was a Pillow alum and an essential and hugely devoted leader on our team," executive and artistic director Pamela Tatge said. "Their spirit, generosity, and dedication touched the lives of many. We are holding their family, friends, and colleagues in our hearts as we grieve together."

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office Friday afternoon confirmed that a fatality had occurred on the grounds but could not provide any more information, only noting that the incident was under investigation and that the public was not in danger.

The fatality had been reported at 12:32 p.m. and State Police responded to the scene. The festival's website posted that an "unforseen accident" accident had occurred and that the day's performances had been canceled. A spokesperson told iBerkshires that "There is a critical incident under investigation. We are not able to say more at this time."

In its Friday night statement, Jacob's Pillow said investigations are underway by State Police, the state medical examiner and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Jacob's Pillow also announced that all performances at the venue through Sunday, Aug. 3, have been canceled.

People holding tickets for the canceled performances will receive detailed updates from Jacob's Pillow by email.

Updated with the identity of the victim on Friday at 10:45 p.m.

Tags: fatal, jacobs pillow,

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First Eagle Mill Units in Lee to Open in Springtime

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:02AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Eagle Mills developer Jeffrey Cohen updates the Lee Chamber of Commerce as the project's phases, and the amount of heavy lifting to get it to this point.

LEE, Mass. — More than 50 affordable units are expected to come online at the Eagle Mill this spring.

This is the first of several planned development phases at the former paper mill that dates back to the early 1800s, totaling more than 200 units. The Lee Chamber of Commerce hosted an information session on the project during its Business Breakfast last Wednesday.

"We are here because we have a really big project that's happened for a very long time here in Lee, that, for myself, has provided a real sense of hope, and has has really defined this community as one of the few in the Berkshires that's really looking forward, as opposed to just being sort of stuck in the past," Chamber member Erik Williams said.

The estimated $60 million development broke ground in 2021 after nearly a decade of planning and permitting. Hundreds of workers once filed into the 8-acre complex, producing up to 165 tons of paper a week. The last mill on the property closed in 2008.

Hearthway is accepting applications for 56 affordable apartments called "The Lofts at Eagle Mill" with expected occupancy in May. The housing nonprofit was also approved for 45 additional units of new construction on the site.

Jeffrey Cohen of Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC said the project dates back to 2012, when a purchase contract was signed for the West Center Street property. The developers didn't have to close on the property until renovation plans were approved in 2017, and the mill was sold for $700,000.

It seemed like a great deal for the structure and eight acres on the Housatonic River, Cohen explained, but he wasn't aware of the complex pre-development costs, state, and local approvals it would entail. Seven individually owned homes adjacent to the property were also acquired and demolished for parking and site access.

"If I knew today what I knew then, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here," he said, joining the breakfast remotely over Zoom.

Cohen praised the town's government, explaining that the redesigns and critiques "Could not have been done in a friendlier way, in a more helpful way," and the two Massachusetts governors serving during the project's tenure. The Eagle Mill redevelopment is supported by state and federal grants, as well as low-income housing tax credits.

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