Honestly, it’s the kind of news that makes you stop scrolling and just stare at the screen for a second. Kianna Underwood, a face so many of us remember from the golden era of Nickelodeon, has died. She was only 33.
The details coming out of Brooklyn right now are, frankly, gut-wrenching. This wasn't a peaceful passing or a long illness. It was a violent, sudden hit-and-run that happened early Friday morning, January 16, 2026. The news broke wide today as fans and former co-stars began to realize that the "All That" alum we grew up with is actually gone.
What Really Happened in Brooklyn?
The NYPD is still piecing things together, but here’s what we know for sure. It was around 6:50 a.m. Kianna was reportedly crossing the street near Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard in the Brownsville neighborhood.
She had just stepped out of a bodega.
Witnesses and surveillance footage from a nearby laundromat, Rainbow 2 Laundry, paint a horrific picture. A grey sedan (some reports say a black Ford SUV) struck her at the intersection. The driver didn't stop. They didn't even tap the brakes. Instead, Kianna was dragged for nearly two blocks before her body finally came loose near Osborn Street.
By the time EMS arrived, there was nothing they could do. She was pronounced dead right there on the pavement.
A Community in Shock
The most heartbreaking part might be the local reaction. A worker at a nearby restaurant, Sparkle Mathis, told reporters that everyone in the neighborhood knew her as a "Disney star," though they later realized she was actually a Nickelodeon staple.
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She lived there. She was a regular.
Her boyfriend was reportedly at home cooking breakfast for her when it happened. He had apparently begged her to stay inside that morning. To go from a quiet morning at home to identifying a body in the street is a level of trauma most of us can’t even fathom.
Kianna Underwood: More Than Just a Sketch Comedy Star
If you’re a 90s or early 2000s kid, you know her face. She joined the cast of All That during its tenth season in 2005. She was performing alongside the likes of Nick Cannon and Amanda Bynes at a time when that show was the pinnacle of kid culture.
But her career started way before that.
- Little Bill: Between 1999 and 2004, she was the voice of Fuchsia Glover on the Nick Jr. animated series.
- Hairspray: She wasn't just a TV kid; she was a powerhouse on stage, appearing in the original national tour of the musical.
- Film Credits: You might have spotted her in the 1999 comedy The 24 Hour Woman or the 2003 satirical film Death of a Dynasty.
She had this energy. People who knew her—even just the folks at the local laundromat—described her as having "good spirits" and "happy energy." She was a New York City girl through and through, born in 1992 and raised in the heart of the industry.
The Tragic Pattern Nobody is Talking About
There is a weird, unsettling cloud hanging over the Nickelodeon family lately. Kianna’s death marks the fourth loss of a Nickelodeon-related figure in just the last few weeks.
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We recently lost Guy Moon, the legendary composer behind so many of our favorite cartoons. Then there was Jim Ward and Jeff Garcia. It feels like a piece of our childhood is being chipped away in real-time.
In late 2025, we also lost Michelle Trachtenberg and Tony Germano. When you look at the list, it's startling. Since 2018, nine major figures from the network have passed away, including the creator of SpongeBob, Stephen Hillenburg.
It makes Kianna’s death feel even heavier. She was part of a legacy that shaped an entire generation's sense of humor.
The Search for the Driver
As of today, January 17, no arrests have been made.
The NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is scouring through video from every bodega and laundromat on Pitkin Avenue. The car—described by some as a grey sedan and others as a black SUV—sped off westbound.
The investigation is leaning toward the possibility that Kianna might have been crossing while the pedestrian signal was red, but that doesn't excuse a driver dragging a human being for two blocks and fleeing the scene. That is a felony, and the "Vision Zero" advocates in New York are already screaming for justice.
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How to Help and What to Do Next
If you grew up watching Kianna, her death feels personal. It’s a reminder of how fragile things are. If you want to honor her memory or stay updated on the case, here are the most effective steps:
1. Monitor Local NYPD Updates
The 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn is handling the lead on the hit-and-run. If you live in the Brownsville area and have dashcam footage from Friday morning (roughly 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.) near Pitkin and Mother Gaston, call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
2. Support Arts Programs for Youth
Kianna started as a child actor in NYC. Organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts or local Brooklyn youth theater groups are where the next generation of talent—kids just like Kianna—get their start.
3. Advocate for Pedestrian Safety
This intersection is notoriously dangerous. Groups like Transportation Alternatives in NYC are constantly pushing for better lighting and traffic calming measures in Brownsville. Supporting their work is a practical way to prevent another tragedy like this.
Kianna Underwood deserved to grow old. She deserved to see the "All That" reunions ten years from now. Instead, we’re left with the reruns and the memories of a 33-year-old woman who just went out for a morning walk and never came home.
Rest in peace, Kianna. You made us laugh when we needed it most.
Next Steps for Readers: You can follow the NYPD's official social media channels for real-time updates on the vehicle description. Additionally, many fans are organizing a digital "All That" watch party this weekend to share their favorite clips of Kianna—searching the hashtag #KiannaUnderwood on X (formerly Twitter) will lead you to those community threads.