Current:Home > ScamsAngela Chao Case: Untangling the Mystery Surrounding the Billionaire's Death -InvestTomorrow
Angela Chao Case: Untangling the Mystery Surrounding the Billionaire's Death
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:33:37
More details surrounding Angela Chao's untimely death have emerged.
The billionaire shipping tycoon—whose sister is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell—died in February at the age of 50. At the time, information surrounding Chao's passing was sparse, with her family only confirming that she had died in a car accident.
Now, more than a month later, officials released their findings into the incident that took Chao's life, revealing her harrowing last moments. In a Blanco County Sheriff's Office report obtained by Associated News, authorities determined that Chao was intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of nearly three times the state's legal limit when she drove her Tesla into a pond located on her and husband Jim Breyer's Johnson City, Texas ranch.
Calling her death an "unfortunate accident," officials said Chao exchanged words with her friend Amber Keinan on the phone as her car filled with water.
"Chao told Keinan the water was rising and she was going to die and said 'I love you,'" the police report stated. "Chao then said her good byes to Keinan."
Here is everything that's known about Chao's death:
Who is Angela Chao?
Chao was chairwoman and CEO of the Foremost Group, a shipping business founded by her father James Chao during the 1960s. Her family—which includes older sister Elaine Chao, the wife of Mitch McConnell who served as the Secretary of Labor in George W. Bush's administration and as the Secretary of Transportation during Donald Trump's presidency—is estimated to have a net worth of $14.2 billion, according to Forbes.
Chao was married to Jim Breyer, a billionaire venture capitalist, at the time of her death.
How did Angela Chao die?
According to the Blanco County Sheriff's Office report, Chao died after accidentally reversing her Tesla into a pond near the guest lodge of her Texas ranch on Feb. 10. She hosted a dinner with friends earlier in the night, authorities said in the document, and got into her car around 11:30 p.m. when guests were leaving.
Her friend Amber Keinan told investigators that Chao called her at 11:42 p.m. and said she was trapped inside the car as it filled with water. The conversation lasted 8 minutes, with Chao saying that she was going to die and telling Keinan "I love you," according to the police report.
What happened to Angela Chao after her car went into the water?
The police report about Chao's case said her friends attempted to reach her while she was in the water, including by swimming and kayaking to her submerged vehicle. Chao was freed after first responders—who were called in around 11:55 p.m.—went into the pond and broke the driver's side window, per the report.
When did Angela Chao die?
Chao was pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m. Feb. 11 after rescuers pulled her and her car to shore.
What was Angela Chao's blood alcohol level?
A toxicology test showed that the shipping magnate had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.233 grams per 100 milliliters, according to the report. The reading was above the .08 legal limit in Texas.
E! News has reached out to the Blanco County Sheriff's Office for additional comment but hasn't heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (7626)
Related
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Stop taking selfies with 'depressed' bear, Florida sheriff's office tells drivers
- Simone Biles’ pursuit of balance: How it made her a better person, gymnast
- Wildfires in California, Utah prompt evacuations after torching homes amid heat wave
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- LSU cornerback Javien Toviano arrested, faces video voyeurism charges
- Wildfires: 1 home burned as flames descends on a Southern California neighborhood
- Legal fight continues with appeals over proposed immigration initiative for Arizona Nov. 5 ballot
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- US census takers to conduct test runs in the South and West 4 years before 2030 count
Ranking
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Esta TerBlanche, who played Gillian Andrassy on 'All My Children,' dies at 51
- 3 'missing' people found safe, were never in car when it was submerged off Texas pier, police say
- Eva Mendes' Ultimate Self-Care Hack May Surprise You
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- 3 rescued after homeowner's grandson intentionally set fire to Georgia house, officials say
- Hunter Biden drops lawsuit against Fox News over explicit images featured in streaming series
- Stock market today: Asian shares fall after Wall St ends worst week; Biden withdraw from 2024 race
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez won’t play in MLS All-Star Game due to injury
Heat-related Texas deaths climb after Beryl knocked out power to millions
JoJo Siwa Clapbacks That Deserve to Be at the Top of the Pyramid
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Esta TerBlanche, who played Gillian Andrassy on 'All My Children,' dies at 51
VP Kamala Harris salutes national champion college athletes at White House
Black voters feel excitement, hope and a lot of worry as Harris takes center stage in campaign