He died from a tear in his aorta, putting him among the noteworthy and influential people who died in July. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who have died this year (the cause of death is cited, if available):___JANUARY ___Diane Crump, 77. He died from the disease less than a year after he announced his diagnosis. He was the founder of Italy’s populist Northern League and one of the most influential — and polarizing — figures of Italian politics. A preliminary report from a medical examiner’s office said he died from a tear in his aorta stemming from the hardening of his arteries.