That's so sad! Something horrible and Poe-ish probably befell him/her. (At least, I'd rather that happened than he/she gave it up.) But I can imagine someone taking the mantle - and hopefully keeping the mysteriousness of it - on next year.

If you want more tradition, I can tell you where to find it. I'll give you a hint: it starts with T and ends with ass-end of the country.