The owner of an adored Baltimore restaurant known for its celebrity customers and world famous crab died from carbon monoxide poisoning inside his own home, leaving his loved ones and customers heartbroken.
Costas Triantafilos, 85, the owner of the famed Costas Inn, and his wife Mary were found unconscious inside their Glen Arm, Maryland, home on Monday.
Baltimore County Fire Department officials rushed to the scene in response to reports of a cardiac arrest.
But they soon detected high levels of the toxic gas flooding the home from a vehicle was left running in their garage, CBS reported.
Costas tragically did not survive the carbon monoxide poisoning, while Mary has been hospitalized and is expected to recover.
‘You pinch yourself to see if it’s real and then you realize this is a nightmare you’re not waking up from. It’s not going to happen,’ Costas Inn employee Christine Thamert told WMAR.
‘Yes, you expect to walk in and see him and he’s not going to be here anymore.’
The historic Costas Inn issued a statement regarding the devastating loss, reflecting on Costas’ commitment to his community.
Costas Triantafilos, 85, the owner of the famed Costas Inn, and his wife Mary were found unconscious inside their Glen Arm, Maryland home on Monday
The owner of an adored Baltimore restaurant known for its celebrity customers and world famous crab died from carbon monoxide poisoning inside his own home
Celebrity guests, including Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost and Michael Che, have eaten at Costas Inn (photo credit: Costas Inn)
The message, posted on Facebook, reads: ‘As many of you know, we recently lost someone incredibly special. He was the heart behind all that we do here at Costas Inn.
‘He was not only the guiding force in our family and business, but a source of strength, love, and inspiration to so many of us.’
The flagship restaurant has been operating since 1971 and is known for its ‘world famous crabs,’ according to its website.
Aside from being a local staple, Costas Inn has seen its fair share of celebrity guests.
These high-profile patrons include Saturday Night Live’s Michael Che and Colin Jost, actor John Ratzebberger and New England Patriot Nate Solder.
Ravens Super Bowl champion Bryant McKinnie and NBA player Rudy Gay have also stopped in to enjoy a meal and the inn’s family-like atmosphere.
Nick Triantafilos, Mary and Costas’ son, told CBS his father was planning on opening a second Costas Inn location in April.
‘He was loved by a lot of people,’ he said of his father. ‘You don’t get much better than him.’
Mary and Costas moved to America from Greece to open their successful business, their son wrote in a Facebook post
The flagship restaurant has been operating since 1971 and is known for its ‘world famous crabs’
Nick described both of his parents as ‘hard working’ in a heartfelt Facebook post, celebrating Costas Inn’s 52nd birthday on March 29, 2023.
‘Once Upon a Time, two hard working Greek Immigrants, with a passion for people and food opened a restaurant which later became a pillar of the community,’ he began.
‘The quintessential example of the American Dream. Congratulations Mom and Dad and Happy 52nd Birthday to Costas Inn !!!’
Costas Inn employees have tearful expressed their gratitude for Costas and how much they will truly miss him.
One staffer, Kayla Williams, wrote in a tear-jerking social media tribute: ‘Yesterday, a true patriarch went on to heaven. And he was the “man” in every sense of the word.
‘It’s not just a bar, or restaurant, it is home to so many people. To his family, employees, friends, customers.’
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning often first present as flu-like symptoms including headache, weakness, upset stomach, and vomiting.
Dr Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association, told DailyMail.com: ‘Since it’s odorless, tasteless, it can be very insidious and people don’t often equate these kinds of symptoms with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ravens Super Bowl Champion Bryant McKinnie once enjoyed a meal at the coveted restaurant (photo credit: Costas Inn)
Costas tragically did not survive the carbon monoxide poisoning, while Mary has been hospitalized and is expected to recover
Exposure can also lead to blurry vision and headaches, a dangerously fast heartbeat, seizures, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and death.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen.
Inhaling car or lawnmower exhaust is a leading cause. But people are also vulnerable to poisoning in the safety of their homes, especially if they live in smaller spaces.