I was also shocked to hear this news. I was just in Moorpark on Saturday and he rolled in wanting to play Edgie. I had just texted him yesterday to see if he'd like another matchup for tomorrow (Wednesday) and just like that, he's gone (with brother Jeff too).
I met Brendan when he was 13 years old at a little weekly tournament in Santa Clarita. I played him a race to 3. I was up 2-0 when out of nowhere he runs two racks on me. Well, I got lucky but after that match, I told him that he had some serious talent and that he should find a mentor to play under. His Dad was there also; I had mentioned Max Eberle to him and they said, "Yes. That we are looking into working with someone like him." Max, at the time was still living in Los Angeles and a House Pro at Hollywood Billiards.
Six months later I walk into Hard Times and there's Max and Brendan, working out on 'The Devil Table' (#1). Brendan had already shot up like 4 more inches in height and he had also improved greatly. Then, after 3 or 4 more years I saw him in New Jersey, of all places hanging around at The Super Billiards Expo with his Dad. They told me he was gonna go to Lindenwood. I was so happy to see him over that short time, growing from puberty into adulthood and working on his craft; taking pool seriously and learning from good people. It's so sad to see this young man and Jeff be taken so swiftly. I'm sure his friends and loved ones are devastated. I know that I am.
R.I.P. Jeff and Brendan Crockett / Way too soon.