The streaming platform’s CEO, Daniel Clancy, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement on October 18, explaining that Charles was killed in a traffic accident in the Netherlands. “Cindy was hit by a garbage truck while walking by the Passeerdersgracht canal in Amsterdam on October 14,” Clancy stated.
She was pronounced dead before emergency services could intervene. Charles had been scheduled to speak at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) on October 17 prior to her untimely death.
“Cindy led our team that manages our relationships with the music industry, and anyone who uses music on Twitch owes her a debt of gratitude,” Clancy said, praising her for negotiating major music licensing agreements for the platform. “She always had a bright smile, and anyone who worked with her knows how much she cared about everyone she interacted with.”
A landmark music licensing agreement between Twitch and major labels like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment, along with indie labels represented by Merlin, was finalized in June thanks to her efforts.
Clancy expressed his condolences to her husband, Ricky Fishman, and her two sons, Ben and Sam. Fishman had shared the news of Charles’ passing on Facebook, writing, “There is no way to fill the void left by Cindy’s departure. She was deeply loved and will be missed by many.” He described her as “an icon in the music industry,” whose legacy would live on.
Twitch’s Head of Music Label Relations, Kira Karlstrom, also paid tribute to Charles in a blog post, calling her “the heart and soul of our team” and a “force for good in everything she touched.” Karlstrom added, “Her song may have ended too soon, but her melody will live on in all of us who were fortunate enough to know her.”
