Last night I witnessed the senseless, tragic death of Nate Westen. He was shot by a sniper in front of Michael, his brother, the other love of my life. It was horrible, such a waste of a precious soul, much too young to leave this world.
I met my dear friend Nate over five years ago through Michael and have come to love him like my own brother. Through the years I have watched him grow and mature, becoming a great husband, father, son and brother, loved by all.
He tried many business ventures, each of them failing until he bought his own limo, with the help from his mother. Eventually, the business became successful both in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He was also a successful gambler, at least some of the time. who was trying to reform just before his death.
He was a dear kind soul who would drop everything to aid a friend.
First there was Bill Reese, an old school friend, whose daughter, Jenna, had been unwittingly lured into a sex-trafficking scheme by the Wilhelm brothers. Nate worked alongside his brother to successfully return Jenna to her father before being lost forever overseas.
Next there was Jake Miller, who had become unknowingly involved with ex-Mossad arm dealers, by taking bribes to overlook some dodgy import/export transactions. Jake had second thoughts and tried to turn down the latest bribe only to have his, his wife and unborn child's life threatened. With the help of his brother, Nate was able to send the Zamar's fleeing the country.
Nate also helped Michael get away from the scene of a homicide that happened as Michael was speaking with Phillip Cowan, who he thought was responsible for his CIA "burn notice." Nate rushed to the scene to pick up Michael. As Nate was about to drop him off, Michael received a phone call from Fi, at the time his on and off again girlfriend. She and Sam Axe were is great danger. Nate sacrificed his truck to save Fi, Michael and himself from some dangerous drug dealers. He also provided a safe place for his mom, Michael, and Fi while an international conspiracy organization was looking for Michael. Nate was able to pick up Madeline, his mom, who was at home and bring her to the safe-house without detection. Later he was able to get himself and his mom away from the area and out of town.
Then there was Katya, another dear friend of Nate. Her sister, Elena was being held by the Russian mob who were requesting $50,000.00 dollars for her release. Elena had been smuggled into the United States and now the mob wanted to be paid, otherwise she was going to be sold. Nate helped his brother by poising as a guard. They had earlier kidnapped Ivan who knew the whereabouts of Elena and Michael had joined him as a fellow captive. Now Michael needed to escape with Ivan to reach the girls. To do so, Michael needed to stage a fight with Nate so he and Ivan could escape undetected. Nate preformed his role spotless. As a result Elena was reunited with her sister.
Nate again came to the aid of his brother by using his newly purchased limo and poising as a bodyguard observing a girl Michael was chauffeuring to try to make Lesher think twice about kidnapping her.
I remember the time when Nate was deceived into flying from Las Vegas to Miami to meet with a potential investor in his limo service. He was being used by Tyler Brennen to force Michael into stealing integral pieces that were necessary to break into a lab containing a weapon. Brennen had brought in the Butcher just to entertain or even kill Nate, if necessary. Michael was getting bold and refusing to help Brennen unless he received information, so Brennen had the Butcher bring Nate to the scene while Michael was overtaking the security guards. Michael returned to refuse helping only to find his brother. Brennen shot Nate in the arm to prove that he was serious and would kill Nate if Michael didn't do his bidding. Both Westen brothers survived the incident.
After Nate married Ruth they drove from Las Vegas to Miami so Ruth could meet his mom. They were technically on their honeymoon. Unfortunately for Nate, Michael was dealing with Dead Larry who was back in town. Nate had to watch over his mom for Michael while he handled the situation which almost ended in an annulment for him and Ruth. Nate decided that his mom should move to Las Vegas for safety and to be close the her future grandchildren. Instead, Madeline decided to stay in Miami near Michael, Fi and Sam.
Nate received a phone call in Las Vegas from one of the Taylor brothers who were in trouble. The Taylor brothers had some cars stolen from their shop and needed them back. After Nate arrived in Miami, he and Michael discovered that one of the cars had contained drugs that Caleb needed back. With the help from Michael, Nate was able to get the Taylor's out of trouble. Nate needed the revenue from the job because he and Ruth were expecting their first child.
After Charlie was born, he and Ruth moved back to Miami. Unfortunately, Nate had started gambling again and wanted to get away from the temptation of Las Vegas. He needed the support of Michael and his mother. He loved Ruth and his son so much he didn't want to lose them.
Jessica, another friend of Nate's was in trouble. Her father had recently died and Jessica owed a loan shark some money who was threatening her and wanted the boat her father had left her. Nate, with the help of his brother, was able to get the head of the loan shark organization arrested. freeing Jessica from his grips.
Several weeks ago, Nate announced that Ruth had taken the baby and moved back to Las Vegas. Sadly, Ruth wanted out of their marriage so Nate was staying at his mother's house.
Michael felt bad for his brother, but he was dealing with terrible problems of his own. He needed Nate's help since Fi, Michael's girlfriend, was in prison on false charges. Agent Pearce's fiance had been killed a couple years back, and his killer, Ahmad Damour, was in town and Pearce wanted his hide. Ahmad has been feeding the CIA valuable information, so the CIA wouldn't arrested him. It was now up to Michael, Nate and the rest of the team to steal that information. Without it, Ahmad had no protection. Nate, Sam and Madeline keep their eyes on Ahmad's son, Sharif, while Michael, Jesse and Pearce dealt with Ahmad. Nate made it possible for Sam to get the drive containing the information Pearce needed, saving the day.
Michael needed to capture Anson, who had framed Fi, so that she could be released from prison. But to find Anson's whereabouts he had to help Rebecca save her brother, Trent. Anson had given Wes false information and he was tracking Trent down. Michael needed more background information about Wes' father who had recently died in prison. Nate and Jesse traveled to Tampa to find a fellow prisoner who could supply the information they needed. While in Tampa, Nate learned valuable cattle prod safety rules. The information Nate acquired was instrumental in getting his brother in with Wes ultimately sending Wes in a different direction off the trail of Trent. Rebecca then supplied Michael with Anson's location.
Finally, this week, the team knew where Anson would be last night. Nate traveled with Jesse, Michael and Pearce to Atlantic City, since Nate was familiar with the city. Nate tried very hard to help his brother get Anson, but Michael wasn't happy with his tactics. Discouraged, Nate went to one of the casinos, near the airport waiting for a plane to get home.
Anson was hiding out in Tides Cafe not far from the airport. Once Michael found where Anson was hiding it would take him 20 minutes to get there. He called Nate to go to the Cafe and just observe Anson until they arrived, but not to approach since Anson was most likely armed.
Nate saw Anson walking and took him by surprise, knocking him to the ground. He grabbed Anson's gun from his waist and escorted him outside at gunpoint waiting for the CIA to arrive. Anson assured Nate he would be out within a week since he knew where the bodies were.
Just as Michael approached Anson, both Nate and Anson were shot. Anson died immediately, but Nate held on long enough for Michael to reach him and hold his brother's head as he lay dying.
So this is for you, dear friend, may you always remain in our hearts and rest in peace. Farewell, until we meet gain.
Nathanial (Nate) Elias Westen born March 3, 1970 to Madeline and the late Frank Westen; tragically died July 27, 2012. He is survived by wife, Ruth; son, Charlie of Las Vegas, NV; his mother, Madeline; brother, Michael of Miami, FL; Funeral services, Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 9pm EST. Visiting hours Friday July 27, 2012 11:00pm, Saturday July 28, 2012 10:00am and August 2, 2012 3:00pm. USA Network will televise viewing and service.
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