The death of Angela Chao, Senator Mitch McConnell’s sister-in-law, is now being investigated as a potential crime following the discovery of her body in her submerged car in a Texas pond. Angela Chao, aged 50, was found deceased in her vehicle in Johnson City, near Austin, on February 11.
The Blanco County Sheriff’s Office initially treated the incident as an unfortunate accident. However, they have since escalated their investigation, describing the circumstances as atypical and potentially criminal. The office has informed the state Attorney General, Ken Paxton, of their ongoing inquiry, indicating that they will continue to investigate until they can rule out criminal activity.
First responders faced significant challenges in their efforts to rescue Angela Chao from her submerged vehicle. According to reports from the Austin American-Statesman, the rescue operation lasted over an hour as responders attempted to extricate her from the car. Rescuers resorted to standing on top of the vehicle while they worked to gain access, underscoring the difficulties they encountered during the rescue attempt.
According to fire Lt. Royce Penshorn’s report, deputies were positioned in the water atop what they believed to be the vehicle, striving to reach the individual they suspected was inside. Eventually, a two-person rescue team successfully extracted Angela Chao from the car at approximately 12:56 a.m. Despite efforts by EMS responders to revive her for 43 minutes, they were unable to resuscitate her.
The ranch where the tragic incident occurred is owned by a corporation associated with Chao’s husband, Jim Breyer. Notably, Chao’s sister, Elaine Chao, is married to Senator Mitch McConnell and has held significant roles in the administrations of both President George W. Bush and President Donald Trump, serving as Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation, respectively.
Angela Chao held the position of CEO at Foremost Group, a prominent dry bulk shipping company based in New York, which was originally established by her parents.
Her father, Dr. James SC Chao, expressed profound sorrow at her untimely passing, stating, “Losing her at such a young age is something we never even imagined, and our entire family is devastated with grief,” as reported by Marine Link. Dr. Chao highlighted his daughter’s remarkable intellectual curiosity, which endeared her to all and propelled her to excellence in all her endeavors.
Angela Chao’s academic achievements were exemplary. She graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University before pursuing her MBA at Harvard Business School.
In 1996, she joined the family business, becoming an integral part of its operations.
Beyond her professional commitments, Chao dedicated her time to serving on the boards of prestigious organizations such as MoMA, the Metropolitan Opera, and Harvard Business School, among others, showcasing her commitment to philanthropy and education.