Angela Chao, the sister-in-law of Senator Mitch McConnell tragically passed away while frantically calling her friends for help as her Tesla sank into a pond.
Chao, the former billionaire CEO of the renowned dry bulk shipping company Foremost Group died after accidentally backing her car into the pond while attempting a routine maneuver, per The Wall Street Journal.
The incident occurred during what was supposed to be a fun weekend getaway with friends on a 900-acre property in the Texas Hill Country.
The weekend began with dinner and celebrations for the Chinese New Year but quickly turned into a traumatic ordeal when Chao - intending to return to the main house in her Tesla Model X SUV - made a fatal error.
While executing a K-turn, she inadvertently shifted the car into reverse, propelling it over an embankment and into the freezing cold water of the pond behind her.
She began sinking at a rapid pace and frantically called her friends for help. Her friends quickly arrived at the scene, with one even jumping into the icy water in a desperate attempt to rescue Chao.
Despite their efforts and the subsequent arrival of Blanco County emergency units, including sheriff's deputies and a dive team, the rugged terrain posed challenges for responders, delaying crucial rescue efforts.
Rescue crews struggled to access the vehicle, with fears of electrocution hindering some rescue attempts due to the Tesla being an electric car.
It wasn't until nearly an hour after the initial distress call that a two-man rescue crew managed to extract Chao from the vehicle. Tragically, despite extensive efforts to revive her, Chao remained unresponsive.
Details surrounding the billionaire's death on February 10 had been scarce, with the Blanco County Sheriff's Office initially labeling it as an "unfortunate accident."
"Although the preliminary investigation indicated this was an unfortunate accident, the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating this accident as a criminal matter until they have sufficient evidence to rule out criminal activity,” the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Thursday letter to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, per the New York Post.
The ranch where Chao passed away is owned by a corporation linked to her husband, Jim Breyer, a prominent venture capitalist with ties to the Boston Celtics.
Chao's sister, Elaine Chao, is married to Senator Mitch McConnell and has served in key positions in previous administrations, including as Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation.
Angela was just 50 years old at the time of her death.
Our thoughts go out to her family and loved ones at this time.
