Current:Home > ScamsTrendPulse|Angela Chao Case: Untangling the Mystery Surrounding the Billionaire's Death -Wealthify
TrendPulse|Angela Chao Case: Untangling the Mystery Surrounding the Billionaire's Death
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-10 05:03:03
More details surrounding Angela Chao's untimely death have emerged.
The TrendPulsebillionaire 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! (698)
Related
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Oregon university pauses gifts and grants from Boeing in response to student and faculty demands
- Status Update: There's a Social Network Sequel in the Works
- CDC: Deer meat didn't cause hunters' deaths; concerns about chronic wasting disease remain
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products That Are Chemical-Free & Smell Amazing
- 24 years ago, an officer was dispatched to an abandoned baby. Decades later, he finally learned that baby's surprising identity.
- Status Update: There's a Social Network Sequel in the Works
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- A former Democratic Georgia congressman hopes abortion can power his state Supreme Court bid
Ranking
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Untangling Taylor Swift’s and Matty Healy’s Songs About Each Other
- Retired pro wrestler, failed congressional candidate indicted in Vegas murder case
- Planned Parenthood announces $10 million voter campaign in North Carolina for 2024 election
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- NFL draft picks 2024: Tracker, analysis for every pick from second and third rounds
- Moderate Republicans look to stave off challenges from the right at Utah party convention
- Regulators close Philadelphia-based Republic First Bank, first US bank failure this year
Recommendation
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
Noah Cyrus Fires Back at Tish Cyrus, Dominic Purcell Speculation With NSFW Message
Teen accidentally kills his younger brother with a gun found in an alley
Teen accidentally kills his younger brother with a gun found in an alley
Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
Retired pro wrestler, failed congressional candidate indicted in Vegas murder case
Ellen DeGeneres breaks silence on talk show's 'devastating' end 2 years ago: Reports
Moderate Republicans look to stave off challenges from the right at Utah party convention