East Side Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff has died at the age of 41.
Brostoff represented the city’s 3rd District since November 2022, succeeding Nik Kovac. Between 2014 and 2022, Brostoff represented the 19th district in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Brostoff, a father to four children, was married to Diana Vang-Brostoff.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson issued a statement announcing the deaths of both Brostoff and former Alderman Terry Witkowski, which are confirmed to be unrelated.
“Jonathan brought a unique energy to his work at City Hall,” Johnson said. “His passion and dedication were evident every day. No elected official brought more enthusiasm to their work than Jonathan. He was a husband, a father, a son, and, to me, a close friend. My thoughts and sympathy go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
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The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office released a statement stating that it is conducting a death investigation related to a body of a male discovered at Greenfield Park in West Allis. The statement said an autopsy would be performed on Tuesday and that the death was being investigated as a suicide.
Karen Domagalski, operations manager for the Medical Examiner’s Office, confirmed to Milwaukee Magazine that the body found is that of Brostoff.
Brostoff most recently was outspoken about rowdy behavior on Brady Street tied to a Halloween celebration as reported by WISN-TV.
A bio on the Common Council’s website states that Brostoff served as a volunteer at Pathfinders, a youth shelter, and at the Maryland Avenue Montessori School. He also maintained close ties with Dryhootch, a veteran-focused nonprofit, and was an active alum with Milwaukee’s Public Allies program.
Brostoff graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in political science. While in college, he worked for Sen. Tom Harkin in Washington, D.C., was chair of the UWM College Democrats, and completed the United Nations Summer Seminar program.
Witkowski, 80, served on the Milwaukee Common Council from 2003 to 2019, representing Aldermanic District 13 on the city’s far south side.
“Terry spent most of his professional life serving the people of our city,” Johnson said. “As the long-time leader of the Milwaukee Safety Commission, he led a variety of efforts to protect our residents. Then, in his service on the Milwaukee Common Council, Terry was a champion for his South Side District. Every time I hear or see a reference to the Garden District, I will think of Terry’s work. To Terry’s family and friends, I offer my condolences.”
A GoFundMe, available here, has been launched on behalf of Brostoff’s family, with a goal of raising $25,000 dollars. The description says: “This fund has been created to help support Jonathan’s family as they cope with this loss. Donations will go toward memorial expenses and provide assistance to Diana and their children as they transition into life without him. Jonathan was not only a public servant but also a loving husband, father, son, and friend. His warmth, kindness, and fierce dedication to his community will never be forgotten.”
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text “Hopeline” to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741.
