Ellen DeGeneres Reacts to Prize Winner’s Husband’s Death
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Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) — Gunnery Sgt. Brandon McGraw died recently while on an Australian vacation that his wife, Cherilyn McGraw, won on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last January. Ellen DeGeneres has just released a statement saying she’s been in touch with the wife as she deals with this “unimaginable tragedy.”
The 33-year-old Marine was skydiving with his wife on Dec. 14, and TMZ reports the North Carolina resident jumped solo immediately after his wife started a tandem jump.
Brandon was an experienced skydiver, but his parachute caused him to veer right and left, according to a skydiving school staffer, and he fell to the ground from about 300 feet. Brandon was pronounced dead at the scene.
DeGeneres said in a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, “I’ve been speaking with Cherilyn. And my staff has been in touch with her as well. She’s asked us to help keep this private as she tries to deal with this unimaginable tragedy. I hope everyone respects that.”
Cherilyn has reportedly posted on Facebook photos of her husband on the plane before the jump, writing, “My hero. My angel. These are truly such symbolic photos. He was happy and doing what he loved. It’s amazing all that photos can capture in a moments time. The last 2 photos taken. I love you more than anything in the world, honey. You are the most amazing man.”
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