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Woman Accused of Deadly Revenge Crash Faces Jury as Boyfriend’s Hospital Account Is Barred From Trial

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A Florida woman intentionally drove an SUV carrying her boyfriend into the woods after becoming enraged over text messages from another woman, prosecutors told jurors Tuesday. The vehicle was traveling close to 100 mph when she made the sharp turn, they said.

Defense attorney Reid Hart presented a different account in opening statements, suggesting that something inside the SUV triggered the sudden maneuver—an event Leigha Mumby neither expected nor controlled.

Mumby, 25, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury in connection with the death of Daniel Waterman, 22. Waterman initially survived the Feb. 9, 2025, crash but died eight months later.

Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark told jurors that Mumby and Waterman had left a Super Bowl party shortly before the crash on Interstate 95 in Flagler County, according to proceedings livestreamed by Court TV.

Leigha Mumby sits between attorney Reid Hart and a legal assistant during jury selection in Bunnell, Florida

Leigha Mumby sits between her attorney, Reid Hart, and her legal assistant Monday during jury selection for her trial at the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Clark said the SUV’s speed topped 100 mph before the wreck. Data recovered from the vehicle showed it was traveling 94 mph in the final seconds before making an “abrupt, left-hand turn at 45 degrees,” sending it off the interstate and into the surrounding woods.

The prosecutor characterized the maneuver as “a dangerous and reckless” decision.

Waterman suffered a fractured neck and was paralyzed from the neck down, Clark said. He later slipped into a coma and, after regaining consciousness, was unable to breathe without assistance.

Waterman died Oct. 8, 2025, from injuries that were “directly related and caused by this crash,” Clark said. Jurors, however, will not hear Waterman’s own description of what happened—an account he gave detectives before his death.

From his hospital bed, Waterman told investigators that Mumby deliberately swerved off the road after the pair argued about messages from another woman. A judge ruled the statements inadmissible, preventing prosecutors from presenting that account to the jury.

Daniel Waterman smiling in hospital bed as he's hooked up to various machines

Daniel Waterman died on Oct. 8, 2025, from injuries he suffered in a February car crash. (Heather Waterman via FOX35 Orlando WOFL)

Hart described the case as a “pure and utter tragedy” and asked jurors to consider whether the SUV veered suddenly because of something beyond Mumby’s control.

“The crux of this trial effectively comes down to one steering wheel input, and ultimately one question,” Hart said, according to Court TV’s livestream.

Hart asked jurors to determine whether Mumby intentionally drove off the highway or whether something inside the vehicle occurred that “she did not expect, she did not anticipate, and she did not control.”

He said Mumby tried to avoid the collision but was unable to stop the SUV once it began racing toward the woods.

Leigha Mumby mugshot

Leigha Mumby, 24, had charges upgraded to vehicular homicide following Waterman’s death. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)

Among Tuesday’s witnesses was Sarah Stappenbeck, Waterman’s cousin and Mumby’s best friend, who hosted the Super Bowl gathering.

Stappenbeck testified that Mumby had announced earlier in the day that she was pregnant. At the same time, Mumby was worried about Waterman’s interactions with other women.

Mumby “expressed concerns of Daniel talking to other girls and said that she wasn’t going to let Daniel cheat on her,” Stappenbeck told jurors.

The couple left before the game ended. About 20 minutes later, Stappenbeck said, Mumby called her in a rage, claiming Waterman was texting another woman and saying she intended to bring him back to the house.

“She’s yelling at me,” Stappenbeck recalled.

Stappenbeck said she did not hear Waterman speaking in the background. She tried to calm Mumby and urged the couple to get home safely and address their disagreement the following day.

“She just said that ‘You’re taking his side,’ and hung up with me,” Stappenbeck testified.

About 20 minutes later, Mumby called again, still angry, and repeated that she was bringing Waterman back, Stappenbeck said.

They never arrived. Instead, Stappenbeck testified, Mumby’s roommate called and told her to go to the hospital because there had been a crash.

The trial is unfolding without Waterman’s account to investigators of what happened inside the SUV.

I-95 North highway in Florida

The portion of I-95 North in Flagler County, Fla., where the crash happened in February 2025. (Google Maps)

Before his death, Waterman told detectives Mumby deliberately caused the wreck after an argument over a text from another woman, according to charging documents previously reported by Court TV.

He said the last thing he remembered was Mumby telling him, “I don’t care what happens, you’ll get what you deserve,” before swerving off the road.

Judge Dawn Nichols ruled those statements could not be introduced at trial. Prosecutors said they wanted jurors to hear Waterman’s account, but acknowledged the rules of evidence prevented them from using it at trial, Court TV previously reported.

“The court is bound by the law and the court is bound by the rules of evidence,” Nichols said when explaining the ruling.

The first day of Mumby’s trial also brought an emotional moment for Waterman’s family. His mother, Heather Waterman, was seen wiping away tears as a photo of her son was shown in court.

Court adjourned for the day following Tuesday’s proceedings.

Mumby was initially arrested in July 2025 on charges of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

After Waterman died, prosecutors upgraded her charges to include vehicular homicide. She was booked into the Flagler County Jail and released after posting a $150,000 bond.

Waterman’s mother previously told Syracuse.com that he spent time in a coma before recovering enough to tell investigators what happened.

Waterman’s aunt, Tiffany Waterman, expressed anguish over the exclusion of her nephew’s statements in a Facebook post Monday as jury selection began.

She remembered his efforts to comfort a loved one watching a movie beside him in his hospital bed, smiling at her while trying to conceal his pain.

“That’s who Daniel was. Protective, loving, and sweet,” she wrote. “He had the biggest heart, even in those last moments of life.”

The family previously told News Media through attorney John Hager that they supported the charges filed following Waterman’s death.

“There are no real winners in this situation. It’s a terrible, horrible situation,” Hager said in November 2025, adding that the family believed the charges were “right and just.”

Mackenzie Shirilla

Mackenzie Shirilla makes a statement to the court during her sentencing in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland, Ohio on Aug. 21, 2023. Shirilla was found guilty of four counts of murder and other charges relating to the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and his friend, Davion Flanagan, in July 2022. (Law&Crime livestream)

Mumby gave birth to a baby girl three days after Waterman died, according to WSYR.

“Daniel was an excited, soon-to-be father of a baby girl,” his obituary said. “He wanted nothing more than to come home to her and to the family who loved him so dearly.”

Similar case

The trial comes amid renewed attention to another deadly crash involving a young woman convicted of intentionally driving into a building with her boyfriend inside.

Mackenzie Shirilla is serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life for killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, 19, in a 2022 crash in Strongsville, Ohio, News Media previously reported.

Shirilla’s case became the subject of Netflix’s “The Crash.” 

She was convicted in 2023 after prosecutors argued she deliberately drove into a brick building at nearly 100 mph to end her relationship with Russo.

The Ohio Supreme Court recently rejected her request to reconsider its decision, declining to hear her latest appeal. Shirilla has maintained the crash was not intentional.

Press Secretary’s First Briefing Receives Devastating Verdict

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Katie Zacharia opened her first appearance in the James S. Brady Briefing Room on Tuesday with a bright, elongated “Good morninggg…” before taking her place behind the lectern. With her polished appearance and confident entrance, she initially looked like the glamorous, camera-ready White House press secretary Donald Trump might have envisioned.

But the promising first impression quickly began to fade.

“I am so honored to work for President Trump and the American people,” Zacharia, 41, read from her prepared remarks, keeping her eyes mostly on the page and only occasionally looking toward the cameras.

The White House press corps had been waiting six weeks for a successor to Karoline Leavitt, whose unexpected resignation in August left the administration without a permanent press secretary. Reporters and viewers around the world were eager to hear from Trump’s latest public face.

“Enthusiastic, hardworking Americans are lining up and packing arenas to support President Trump and Republicans and it… is… not… hard… to… see… why,” Zacharia declared, delivering the sentence in a slow, clipped rhythm.

The result sounded relentlessly upbeat but somewhat mechanical, suggesting that the new White House spokesperson was still adjusting to the demands of the briefing room.

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia grew in confidence as her first briefing went on, particularly when talking about her family

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia appeared increasingly comfortable as her first briefing progressed, especially when she spoke about her family

Trump is fighting for American workers “every… minute… of… every… day,” she recited from a prepared line known inside the White House as a “topper.” Zacharia seemed to have been instructed to slow down and pronounce each word clearly, though the effort came across as unusually deliberate.

During an opening statement lasting almost nine minutes, she ran through a heavily positive list of administration achievements, including rising real wages, one million new private-sector jobs, construction of Naval bases and reduced drug prices. The Iran war was absent from the account, while several phrases received emphatic, and at times seemingly random, vocal stress.

Zacharia said Trump had delivered the “biggest oil deal in WORLD history” and won a “historic one-day war with… VENEZUELA.”

As the statement continued, she increasingly looked down at her notes. A pause, a grimace and a confused attempt to describe investment in an Alaska pipeline followed: “In addition to that it will be… it, we, will be… he, it… ahh… there is 54 billion dollars…”

“And with that, I will take your QUESTIONS,” Zacharia said, sounding cautious as she opened the floor to reporters.

New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia shadows President Donald Trump as he walks to speak with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Washington

New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia accompanies President Donald Trump as he heads to speak with reporters before boarding Marine One on the White House South Lawn on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Washington

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia speaks at her first briefing

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia addresses reporters during her first briefing

The opening remarks at a White House briefing are normally followed by an extended question-and-answer session that can last close to an hour. On this occasion, however, Zacharia answered questions from just three reporters.

A reporter from Breitbart asked about the record of her predecessor. “Firstly, my predecessor Karoline Leavitt did an incredible job,” Zacharia replied.

One unnamed White House official, among several people said to have contacted the media, later remarked that staff members were “missing Karoline today.”

Fox News then asked how Zacharia intended to approach the press secretary’s role. She said she hoped to “amplify, multiply, and expand upon President Trump’s incredible agenda,” a string of phrases that veered into the kind of verbal muddle previously associated with former President Biden’s much-criticized press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre.

Before joining the administration, Zacharia had worked as a pro-Trump television commentator on conservative cable networks. Trump reportedly selected her despite her relative lack of public prominence, and she said she planned to draw on that background to “only build on, only amplify and only multiply, to the extent possible, all of the wins [Trump is] making for Americans.”

“[President Trump] is his own best spokesman,” she added. After her uneven first briefing, that claim appeared more convincing than it had the day before.

Though for one thing, Zacharia’s devotion to the President appears sincere. ‘My President… excuse me… my husband… that’s a good one’ she stumbled when speaking about her dedication to her spouse and four children.

Press Secretary Katie Zacharia joins President Trump's team at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland en route to Alaska

Press Secretary Katie Zacharia joins President Trump’s team at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland en route to Alaska  

Katie Zacharia watches as President Trump talks to the media at the White House

Katie Zacharia watches as President Trump talks to the media at the White House

The strongest moment of the outing may have been the White House’s worst.

Responding to a question from the Daily Mail, Zacharia revealed that the President asked embattled Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign. It was a mic drop moment that dominated the headlines. Shortly after the announcement Guilfoyle tweeted that she is stepping down, while denying all allegations against her.

Why Guilfoyle wasn’t afforded the opportunity to disclose her own career move before it was released publicly is unclear, but communications pros speculated that the information was released with purpose.

‘From a strategic perspective that was a smart move,’ Democratic strategist Melissa Derosa told Fox News. ‘You don’t want to be the story. [Zacharia] came out loaded with news, dropped the mic and walked away.’

Indeed, she did.

Approximately, seven minutes into the Q&A, Zacharia wrapped it up.

‘I am going to end it because President Trump is heading out to Marine One for our historic trip to Alaska, and we can ask him all of the questions out there,’ she said, as the color seemed to rush back into her face.

One well-known TV reporter was overheard noting that the briefing was the shortest that they had ever been to. Others muttered that Zacharia seemed a little nervous, but most extended her some grace.

Behind the scenes, questions were asked about why Zacharia was thrown into the deep end so quickly, having only been appointed on Friday after a whirlwind 72-hours that the Daily Mail exclusively reported blindsided Trump’s own West Wing. Four sources said she was even hired without consultation with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.

Former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, now a co-host on Fox News, recalled that she was allowed two weeks in the job before briefing the media. Zacharia only had a weekend.

Of course, Zacharia is far from the first White House communicator to receive poor opening reviews.

Trump’s first press secretary Sean Spicer was mercilessly ridiculed on Saturday Night Live. He lasted about six months.

Ominously, one White House insider told MS NOW: ‘She needs to get much better, fast, otherwise she’ll break [Anthony] Scaramucci’s record.’

The Trump fundraiser and financer lasted just 11 days in the role. Scaramucci tweeted Tuesday: ‘The clock is running. Thus far 1/11th of a Scaramucci… I hope she makes it.’

Katie Zacharia is expected to be President Trump's press secreary for the remainder of his term after Karoline Leavitt left in August

Katie Zacharia is expected to be President Trump’s press secreary for the remainder of his term after Karoline Leavitt left in August

Katie Zacharia has long been a loyal supporter of president Trump

Katie Zacharia has long been a loyal supporter of president Trump

When it was all said and done, praise for Zacharia was hard to find – and the critics were gleeful.

Bill Clinton’s former press secretary Joe Lockhart told CNN: ‘It was a little bizarre to rush her out there, then rush her out of the room. I’m not sure what they were hoping to accomplish but I don’t think they built any confidence in her ability to go forward.’

Of course, there’s only one review that truly counts in this White House, and if the President was having any buyer’s remorse, he didn’t show it.

‘I thought she did excellent,’ said President Trump. ‘She did very good.’

There was then a slightly awkward moment, however.

As the President and Zacharia stood together near Marine One after the briefing, they were asked where Zacharia, an attorney, had passed the bar exam, no record of it having been found by journalists.

‘Which state?’ Trump chimed in, turning to his newly minted press secretary.

‘When I moved to China,’ she replied rather cryptically, leaving reporters, and possibly Trump, scratching their heads.

Perhaps all will be revealed at the next briefing.

The Everest Prize Money: Where the World’s Richest Turf Race Pays Out

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A jockey could earn $350,000 for less than a minute’s racing when 12 of the world’s fastest sprinters compete in The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

That remarkable payday is just one part of the vast sums generated by the world’s richest turf race.

The October 17 feature carries a $20million prize pool, creating major financial rewards for trainers, stable staff, owners and the business figures who secure a place in the starting gates.

Even the horses that finish last will deliver their connections a share of $700,000.

According to The Sporting News, the winning horse earns $7million. However, the full amount does not go directly to the owner.

The published distribution shows $5.81million going to the slot holder and owner, with the trainer receiving $700,000 and the winning jockey taking $350,000.

The Everest offers a $20million prize pool, with even the last horse earning its connections $700,000. Pictured: attendees at the Australian Turf Club

The Everest features a $20million prize pool, and even the last-placed horse earns its connections $700,000. Pictured: attendees at the Australian Turf Club 

The winning jockey will pocket $350,000 if successful in Saturday's race

The jockey who wins Saturday’s race will collect $350,000 

The winning horse collects $7million, divided between its owner, slot holder, trainer, jockey and stable staff. Pictured, spectators cheer on their horses at the Australian Turf Club

The winning horse’s $7million prize is shared among its owner, slot holder, trainer, jockey and stable staff. Pictured, spectators cheer their horses at the Australian Turf Club

Stablehands will receive a further $140,000 in recognition of the behind-the-scenes work required to prepare the horse for the starting line.

The amount ultimately retained by the owner, however, is determined by a private agreement reached well before race day. 

The Everest has an unusual structure: 12 slot holders each pay $700,000 for the right to enter a horse.

A slot holder can choose a horse from their own stable or negotiate with another sprinter’s connections to secure a runner.

As a result, having a fast horse does not guarantee a place in the field, just as owning a slot does not mean owning a horse.

The two parties negotiate the terms of their partnership, including how the prize money will be divided. No standard split applies.

An owner and a slot holder could therefore celebrate the same victory while taking home markedly different sums from the $5.81million allocated to them.

Those negotiations make the months leading up to the race a high-stakes contest in their own right, as slot holders assess form and trainers make the case for their horses.

Defending champion Ka Ying Rising (left) will chase another lucrative prize at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Defending champion Ka Ying Rising (left) will pursue another lucrative victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday 

Fashion, champagne and elite racing combine to make The Everest one of Sydney's biggest spring occasions

Fashion, champagne and elite racing combine to make The Everest one of Sydney’s biggest spring events 

For those who fall short of the winner’s prize, the consolation payments are still substantial.

Second place pays $2.9million overall, including $2.407million for the slot holder and owner, $290,000 for the trainer, $145,000 for the jockey and $58,000 for stablehands.

Third place earns $2million, with the jockey’s share alone reaching $100,000. Fourth pays $1.5million, fifth returns $1.2million and sixth collects $950,000.

Every horse finishing seventh to 12th receives $700,000, including $581,000 for the slot holder and owner, $70,000 for the trainer, $35,000 for the jockey and $14,000 for stablehands.

Although that total matches the advertised cost of a slot, it does not mean a slot holder automatically gets their money back.

The purse is divided between several parties, and the slot holder’s return depends on their agreement with the horse’s owner.

There are also valuable trophies on top of the cash.

The owner’s trophy is valued at $625,000, while the winning trainer and jockey receive trophies worth about $52,500 each.

Glamorous outfits and trackside photos are as much a part of Everest Day as the action on the turf. Pictured, Gai and Kate Waterhouse, Duncan James and Tim Brimmer at the Everest Carnival in September 2025

Glamorous outfits and trackside photos are as much a part of Everest Day as the action on the turf. Pictured, Gai and Kate Waterhouse, Duncan James and Tim Brimmer at the Everest Carnival in September 2025 

Even runners finishing seventh to 12th earn $35,000 for their jockey and $70,000 for their trainer

Even runners finishing seventh to 12th earn $35,000 for their jockey and $70,000 for their trainer 

For trainers, the financial rewards can extend well beyond a single afternoon.

Clayton Douglas, whose sprinter Giga Kick won the race in 2022, revealed in a documentary interview that the victory helped him buy a house.

His experience illustrates the significant financial impact the race can have on those involved in preparing its runners. 

This year, defending champion Ka Ying Rising is set to chase another enormous payday for his connections, with David Hayes training and Zac Purton riding.

Last year’s runner-up Tempted is also in the field, trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Chad Schofield.

Behind those headline names sits a business operation that has helped The Everest grow from a $10million race at its launch in 2017 to today’s $20million spectacle.

The 12 slot fees generate $8.4million, making them a substantial contribution but insufficient to cover the prize pool alone.

Wagering revenue, sponsorship and the wider commercial appeal of the event help underpin its financial model.

For spectators, Saturday’s attraction is a 1,200-metre sprint featuring some of the nation’s top horses. 

For those with a financial stake in its runners, it is the moment months of preparation and private negotiations are translated into prize money. 

Away from the racing, spectators can enjoy pop-up bars, food outlets and interactive trackside attractions, including the Chandon Spritz Garden, Canadian Club Bar and TAB Green.

Fashion Stakes competitions add to the glamour, giving racegoers another reason to dress to impress.

After the final race, BRIT-nominated UK dance artist Nathan Dawe will keep the party going with an exclusive DJ set.

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Tie the Knot in Private Arkansas Ceremony

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Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are officially married after quietly exchanging vows at a private ceremony in Arkansas.

The former Good Morning America anchors—Robach, 53, and Holmes, 49—married on September 19 in an intimate ceremony held in his home state.

Their wedding comes roughly four years after the Daily Mail revealed the couple’s romantic relationship.

Robach and Holmes were suspended by GMA after their affair became public in November 2022.

Both later divorced their spouses, Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue.

In an unexpected turn, Fiebig and Shue began dating in 2023 and now live together.

Holmes and Robach’s Arkansas wedding took place a day after they applied for a marriage license in Washington County, according to People.

The license was registered with the county clerk’s office on Tuesday, the outlet reported.

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are officially husband and wife after the pair secretly married at a private ceremony in Arkansas on September 19

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are now husband and wife after secretly marrying in a private Arkansas ceremony on September 19

They started hosting GMA together in 2020 in what sources said was a platonic relationship at first

They began co-hosting GMA in 2020, with sources initially describing their relationship as platonic

The couple announced their engagement on October 14, 2025, during an episode of their podcast, Amy & T.J.

“We are sharing with all of you that we are engaged and we’ve been engaged for just about a month now,” Robach told listeners.

“We wanted to let you all know before anybody else was able to. We’ve learned that lesson, I guess, in the past about our relationship,” Holmes added, seemingly referring to the Daily Mail’s exclusive report.

In 2022, exclusive photos showed the co-workers getting close at a New York City bar, spending private time at their apartments and taking a weekend trip to a secluded cottage in Upstate New York.

At the time, sources told the Daily Mail: “Everyone knows that Amy and T.J. have been close friends for a long time now, running together and even socializing as a foursome with each other’s spouses.”

Sources said their friendship deepened in June of that year, if not earlier, when they traveled to London to film ABC’s coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Staff members were reportedly commenting on the apparent intimacy between them.

Until that point, their relationship appeared platonic both on camera and away from the studio, despite having started anchoring GMA together in 2020.

Each of them divorced their partners, Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue (pictured with Robach), soon after their affair was exposed

Robach and Holmes each divorced their spouses, Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue (pictured with Robach), after their affair became public

Fiebig (pictured with Holmes) and Shue started dating in 2023 and currently live together

Fiebig (pictured with Holmes) and Shue began dating in 2023 and now live together

After their relationship was exposed, Robach and Holmes said they had reached “rock bottom.”

During a June 2024 episode of their podcast, Holmes told their guest, singer-songwriter Rachel Platten, that the couple attended her concert the night before, and Robach has been ‘wiping tears from her face.’ 

Robach gushed over the musician before sharing how the 2015 hit ‘Fight Song’ had resonated with her.

‘We know a little bit about walking through some darkness and coming through the other side and when the worst has happened,’ Robach said. ‘And I’ve thought I’ve hit rock bottom before and I actually hit rock bottom.’

She professed that the track had become her ‘anthem’ at the time of the couple’s dramatic ouster from the morning television program.

Holmes, meanwhile, characterized the process of letting go as ‘weird’ but ‘freeing.’

He said the experience was necessary to find ‘where I’m supposed to be,’ but conceded: ‘It sucks. It sucks even more than you think.’

The duo launched their self-titled podcast in 2023,  with the first episode releasing on December 5, exactly one year after their exit from GMA. 

The duo launched their self-titled podcast in 2023, with the first episode releasing on December 5, exactly one year after their exit from GMA

The duo launched their self-titled podcast in 2023, with the first episode releasing on December 5, exactly one year after their exit from GMA

Shue and Fienig pose on the red carpet at the 2024 Grassroot Soccer World AIDS Day in New York City

Shue and Fienig pose on the red carpet at the 2024 Grassroot Soccer World AIDS Day in New York City

Robach and Holmes were ‘temporarily removed’ from the show in 2022 after rumors of their affair began to circulate. They were officially let go on January 27, 2023. 

Shue wiped all traces of her from social media just days after news of the infidelity broke.

The couple tied the knot in 2008, following Robach’s split from Tim McIntosh. They shared a blended family, including five children from previous marriages.

Holmes and his ex-wife divorced in December 2022 after reportedly separating that August.

The pair welcomed a baby girl in 2013 and were married for 12 years. Holmes has two other children, a son and a daughter, from his previous marriage with Amy Ferson. 

Nephew Remembers Former SFPD Deputy Chief and Daughter Killed

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The nephew of San Francisco’s former deputy police chief has paid tribute to his aunt and her 24-year-old daughter, who were fatally shot by the retired police chief’s husband. He said the killings had left the family “heartbroken” and “forever changed.”

Retired Deputy Chief of Police Ann Mannix, 65, and her daughter Katie were shot dead by retired police sergeant Kevin Mannix, 68, before he took his own life on Sunday night, police said.

Officers found all three bodies at a home in Marin County, an affluent area across the bay from San Francisco.

Brendan Mannix described his aunt as a trailblazer who supported women pursuing careers within the San Francisco Police Department. He remembered his cousin Katie as an aspiring nurse who regularly sent family and friends messages filled with love and encouragement.

He also condemned his uncle Kevin’s “senseless act of violence,” saying the tragedy had left him “lost for words.”

“My beloved aunt, retired Deputy Chief Ann Mannix, and my dear cousin, Katie Mannix, lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. We’re heartbroken, lost for words and forever changed,” Brendan wrote on Facebook.

He said Katie had been close to achieving one of her lifelong ambitions.

“My sweet Katie had her whole life ahead of her. She was so close to following in her older sister Lauren’s footsteps and becoming a nurse,” he wrote.

“Katie was the kind of person who would send you a random text just to say she loved you or to give you encouragement when you needed it. She had such a big heart and a way of making people feel special. It hurts knowing she won’t get to live out the dreams she was so excited about.”

Brendan also honored Ann’s career in law enforcement and her efforts to help other women advance through the San Francisco Police Department.

“My aunt Ann was a pioneer in the SFPD. She worked her way up to Deputy Chief, but she never forgot where she started. She looked out for the women coming up behind her and helped open doors for them. I’m so proud of what she accomplished and the example she set,” he wrote.

Brendan, who also worked as a San Francisco police officer, said serving alongside family members had been “one of the greatest honors of my life.”

“I’ll always treasure that,” he added.

He expressed his gratitude to police officers, friends and members of the community who had contacted the family and offered support.

“Your love and support mean more than I can put into words,” he wrote.

Brendan also asked people to pray for his two surviving cousins as the family mourns Ann and Katie.

“My heart is especially with my two surviving cousins. Please keep them and our family in your prayers,” he wrote.

“I know I’ll carry this loss for the rest of my life. Aunt Ann and Katie, I love you both and miss you more than I can say. I find comfort knowing our Lord and Savior is holding you in His arms, free from pain and suffering. Until we meet again.”

San Francisco police confirmed the deaths. Police Chief Derrick Lew sent a department-wide message, telling officers that the agency was sharing the news “with heavy hearts.”

Chief Lew added: “Please keep their family in your prayers. BSU is available to all members who may need it during this difficult time.”

A close family friend, who said she was Ann Mannix’s best friend of 60 years, also confirmed the deaths to The California Post, adding: “This is so sad for me. She was my best friend of 60 years. Love her, she didn’t deserve this.”

Deputies who responded to the scene after 5 p.m. found all three dead inside the home.

Shots were fired in the Strawberry Circle neighborhood, which is an unincorporated area of Strawberry east of Mill Valley, according to a news release.

Police arrived within minutes to the home and reached out to the person who made the initial call. That person had left the home, according to the sheriff’s office.

The perimeter around the residence was secured for further investigation. Detectives with the sheriff’s office investigations unit were still at the scene Sunday night.

“There is no known threat to the community,” they said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Ann Mannix climbed the ranks of the San Francisco Police Department, becoming deputy chief of the Field Operations Bureau in 2018 before taking charge of the Special Operations Bureau in 2019, according to department records.

She also made history as the first woman to serve on the department’s SWAT team and eventually lead the unit.

Her husband Kevin Mannix retired from the SFPD in June 2018 after serving 27 years on the force.

A close family member who spoke with The California Post confirmed that the relationship between Ann and Kevin was “not great” and that the two had their difficulties, but didn’t foresee this happening. 

They also said that to their understanding, the two were not estranged. 

In a farewell letter published by Taraval Station following Kevin Mannix’s retirement, he looked back on the friendships he had built throughout his career and expressed his desire to spend more time with loved ones.

“I leave the SFPD, but I am taking your friendships with me forever,” he wrote.

After the shooting Sunday night, San Francisco’s Police Officer’s Association said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness, shock, and heavy hearts that we address the devastating news that emerged out of Marin County on Sunday evening.

“The tragic loss of retired Deputy Chief Ann Mannix, her daughter Katie, and retired Sergeant Kevin Mannix in a suspected murder-suicide has left our entire SFPD family reeling.

“There are no words that can fully capture the depth of this tragedy, nor are there simple answers to the painful questions we are all asking.

“Ann Mannix was a trailblazer in our department—becoming the first woman to join and lead the SWAT team, and rising to lead both the Field Operations and Special Operations Bureaus.

“Many worked alongside Kevin during his 27 years of dedicated service at Taraval Station and beyond. To see their lives, and the life of their 24-year-old daughter Katie, end in such a horrific and senseless manner is a burden that weighs heavily on every officer, active and retired.”

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of retired SFPD Deputy Chief Ann Mannix and her daughter, Katie.

“Deputy Chief Mannix dedicated decades of her life to serving San Francisco. She was a trailblazer in the police department, becoming the first woman to join and lead the SWAT team and rising to lead both the Field Operations and Special Operations Bureaus.”


Charlie Kirk Case: Tyler Robinson’s Lawyers Seek Camera Ban

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Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Charlie Kirk, are once again asking a Utah judge to keep cameras out of the courtroom. Their latest request comes before a hearing that could establish a trial date, as they argue that intense attention on the cost of Robinson’s defense could jeopardize his right to a fair trial.

No witness testimony is expected at the hearing. Still, Robinson’s legal team says continued coverage of Kirk’s death could have an “incremental adverse effect” on the proceedings—one they believe would outweigh the public benefit of televising or recording the court’s scheduling discussions.

In a filing Monday opposing a request from local media to send a camera to the Oct. 23 hearing, Robinson’s attorneys pointed to recent reports about defense spending. “Only a few weeks ago, the media reported on costs associated with the defense,” they wrote. They argued that any discussion about the time and resources needed to prepare the case could be circulated immediately on social media and framed around expense, rather than Robinson’s constitutional rights to effective counsel, due process, a fair trial and a reliable penalty determination.

Tyler Robinson in court for the assassination of Charlie Kirk

Tyler Robinson, left, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, points with defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Utah County had paid $1.6 million to Robinson’s defense team by last month, surpassing a special $1 million state allocation. Complex, high-profile murder cases can cost millions to defend, particularly when they proceed to trial.

Those expenses can include expert witnesses, investigative work, laboratory analysis and other services. Some experts have estimated that Robinson’s defense could ultimately cost as much as $10 million.

Tyler Robinson, charged with killing Charlie Kirk appears in court

Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)

The attorneys also said additional media attention “risks reinforcing existing prejudicial perceptions of Mr. Robinson and his defense.”

Robinson’s lawyers have repeatedly sought to bar both still photographers and video cameras from the courtroom, citing different concerns about the possible impact on his right to a fair trial.

“Although the resulting litigation schedule may be newsworthy, there is little additional news value in electronically recording and transmitting the back-and-forth among the Court and counsel concerning scheduling matters,” the defense wrote.

In earlier filings, the defense compared coverage of the case to a “reality TV show,” arguing that cameras could distract participants and increase pressure inside the courtroom.

During the opening of Robinson’s five-day preliminary hearing, defense attorney Richard Novak laughed after the judge ruled that a camera request had been submitted too late. The ruling allowed a pool photographer to take pictures beginning on the second day of the hearing.

Judge Tony Graf Jr., however, has generally favored public access, permitting cameras at most proceedings under conditions established in a courtroom decorum order.

Charlie Kirk at UVU in the courtyard throwing hats to the crowd in front of the TPUSA tent where he was later killed

Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. About 3,000 people were gathered when Kirk was killed, prosecutors say.

A conviction on the aggravated murder charge could make Robinson eligible for the death penalty.

He also faces charges of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in front of a child.

At a brief arraignment in September, lead defense attorney Kathy Nester entered not-guilty pleas on Robinson’s behalf.

Trump Administration Cuts Refugees’ Deadline to Appeal Status Terminations, Raising Fears

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MIAMI – The Trump administration is shortening the window refugees have to challenge the loss of their legal status, a policy critics warn could place tens of thousands of people who escaped war and persecution on the path to deportation.

Beginning Wednesday, refugees will have 10 days — down from 30 — to contest a decision revoking their status. The change is part of a wider administration effort to reshape and tighten a decades-old program that has provided a route to safety in the United States.

According to the policy document, the shorter appeals period is intended to “mitigate potential risks” posed by people admitted as refugees who, the administration says, did not meet the legal requirements for that status.

The document does not provide an estimate of how many people could be impacted. It does, however, single out refugees admitted under President Joe Biden, citing what it calls an “alarming erosion of the integrity” of the refugee system. Refugee advocates reject that characterization.

The administration is already examining the cases of at least 185,000 refugees admitted during Biden’s presidency who have applications for green cards still awaiting a decision.

Since Congress overwhelmingly approved the Refugee Act in 1980, refugee resettlement has generally enjoyed bipartisan backing in the United States. The law established an application process that is among the most extensive and closely scrutinized in the immigration system.

Advocates and resettlement organizations denounce the policy

Refugee advocates say 10 days is not enough time for people to mount an effective defense against the loss of their status.

“These families did everything asked of them,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge. “They submitted to interviews, background checks and years of waiting abroad, only setting foot on U.S. soil once government officials approved their applications.”

The Homeland Security Department now wants to reopen those decisions within 10 days, Vignarajah said, calling the deadline far too short to secure an attorney, translate paperwork or obtain records from countries the refugees were forced to leave.

HIAS, a leading refugee assistance organization, said the policy could expose people who fled violence, persecution and displacement to deportation back to countries where they may face danger, torture or renewed persecution.

“They are trying to upend the core principle that refugee resettlement represents permanent protection,” said Naomi Steimberg, HIAS’ vice president.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The State Department directed questions to DHS.

The refugee program has been overhauled

The Trump administration has significantly reworked the refugee program, shifting its focus toward resettling white South Africans in the United States.

In September, officials said the United States would cap refugee admissions at 17,500 in 2027, with white South Africans expected to make up most of those admitted.

During Trump’s first term, his administration sharply reduced the annual number of refugees allowed into the country. Biden later rebuilt the program and set a goal of admitting 125,000 refugees in the final year of his presidency.

After returning to the White House for a second term, Trump immediately suspended refugee admissions, leaving people around the world stranded after they had been approved for travel to the United States. The administration eventually reopened the program, but largely restricted it to white South Africans.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Tropical Storm Strands Dozens of Runners in Western Desert

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About 70 runners and volunteers spent 12 hours stranded in the Utah desert after extreme weather linked to Tropical Storm Rachel forced the cancellation of a 240-mile endurance race.

The competitors set out on the 241.8-mile Moab 240 course on October 9, beginning a four-day journey across remote desert terrain, deep canyons, slick-rock formations and two mountain ranges.

By Saturday evening, however, conditions had deteriorated sharply. Flash floods cut off the route near the Bridger Jack Aid Station at approximately mile 96, leaving runners unable to safely continue.

Video from the scene showed the danger posed by the rising water, with some runners attempting to navigate fast-moving floodwaters before turning back.

The group returned to the aid station, where they were provided with shelter, warmth, food and drinking water as they waited out the night.

The weather remained hazardous into Sunday morning, and flooding and other dangerous conditions had spread to additional sections of the course. Organizers Destination Trail ultimately called off the race.

Participant Brian Hamilton posted a photograph of himself and several other runners huddled inside a shelter, wrapped in foil blankets as the storm intensified.

Hamilton, an Oregon resident, has taken part in the Moab 240 six times but completed the entire course on four occasions, he told Fox 13 Now. He had hoped to record a fifth finish last weekend, but the storm brought that attempt to an early end.

Flash flooding caused by Tropical Storm Rachel caused the runners to have to stay overnight at an aid station near mile marker 96 on the course. Brian Hamilton (front) was among the group

Flash flooding linked to Tropical Storm Rachel forced runners to spend the night at an aid station near mile marker 96. Brian Hamilton, pictured at the front, was among those stranded

Around 70 runners and volunteers were stranded in the Utah desert for 12 hours after the 240-mile race was canceled in the middle of it

Around 70 runners and volunteers were stranded in the Utah desert for 12 hours after the 240-mile race was canceled midway through the event

“I’ve never been hit in the head so hard by rain before,” Hamilton told the outlet. “I had a very high-end rain jacket on and my hat on. I put the hood up, and it was hurting me.”

In a Facebook post featuring additional images from the ordeal, he said the runners endured a night of driving rain and powerful winds while hoping their tents would remain in place. Many huddled inside emergency foil bivy bags, which Hamilton said he was grateful to have packed.

“We were in a marginally forested area,” fellow runner Troy Eid told Fox 13 Now. “It was mostly open, and it was high, so it was cold. We were being buffeted by the rain.”

On Sunday, Destination Trail worked with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office to arrange an evacuation from the remote aid station.

Even after making it through the dangerous night, the runners still had to hike between four and five miles before reaching a point where sheriff’s deputies could use all-terrain vehicles to collect them. They were then transported by school bus to Moab.

By 9:30 p.m. Sunday, officials had confirmed that every runner was accounted for.

“This is not how anyone wanted the Moab 240 to end,” Destination Trail said in a statement. “Runners put months of training into getting here, and crews, pacers and volunteers invested an enormous amount of time and effort into supporting them. Destination Trail is deeply disappointed for everyone involved.”

Participants have to hike through two mountain ranges and up stick rock on the course

The demanding Moab 240 route takes participants through two mountain ranges and across steep slick-rock terrain

In California, Tropical Storm Rachel brought devastating destruction, while it brought flooding to Utah

More damage in California from Tropical Storm Rachel

Tropical Storm Rachel caused severe destruction in California and brought dangerous flooding to parts of Utah

The total number of participants who began the race has not been disclosed.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Destination Trail for comment. 

Tropical Storm Rachel caused the Baker Dam and Santa Clara River in Utah to overflow as the state saw flash flooding. 

In California, the storm battered waterfront properties as pricey homes collapsed into the monstrous waves. 

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning on Friday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches until 3pm on Sunday, as forecasters expected waves reaching four to seven feet.

Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Gets 40 Years to Life in Tupac Case

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Duane Davis, the former Crips leader found guilty in the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years to life in prison.

Davis, 63, was convicted in August of first-degree murder involving the use of a deadly weapon. Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny handed down the sentence in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The world never forgot about him and his death,” Kierny said of the influential rapper.

During the hearing, Tupac’s siblings, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur and Maurice Shakur, delivered emotional impact statements. Sekyiwa described the night her brother was killed as “a night of hunting and murdering.”

“He was my shining star — my prince,” Sekyiwa said.

Maurice said Tupac never had the opportunity to receive a trial, describing his brother’s death as devastating for both the family and the rapper’s millions of fans.

Sekyiwa urged the judge to impose the harshest possible punishment, saying Davis should be held accountable for the pain inflicted on her family and the world.

Through tears, she remembered Tupac as her protector and said she had been forced to spend the past three decades without the safety and support he provided.

Duane Davis, 63,  was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Tuesday

Duane Davis, 63, was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years to life in prison

Tupac Shakur was killed at the age of 25 on September 7, 1996

Tupac Shakur was 25 when he was killed on September 7, 1996

Sekyiwa 'Set' Shakur, Tupac's sister, asked the judge to deliver the maximum sentence in an emotional impact statement during the hearing

Tupac’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, made an emotional plea for the maximum sentence during the hearing

Sekyiwa said her brother’s death had “crippled [her] family emotionally.” She also revealed that she had been hospitalized several times for depression, suicidal ideation, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Davis watched the testimony from court in shackles and prison clothing. He remained expressionless as Tupac’s sister became overcome with emotion while discussing the killing.

“Both of my children were raised in my grief, so they have trust issues, abandonment issues, relationship issues,” Sekyiwa said.

She pointed out that Tupac was murdered shortly after turning 25 and asked the judge to consider how the world might have changed had he lived.

Sekyiwa also honored her brother’s creative work, saying he had developed manifestos and held ambitions to become an advocate.

She likened Tupac to figures including Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, asking the court to imagine what might have been lost if either had been killed before reaching the age of 26.

“I miss my brother. I miss the scars on his head. I miss the way he ate. I miss his recipe for barbecue chicken. I miss his laugh. He was sloppy with his laugh. So full, so big,” she said through tears.

“I was the little sister that just wanted to be with her brother.”

Davis received the maximum sentence in Clark County District Court. He sat stone-faced while the judge delivered his sentence of 40 years to life

Davis received the maximum sentence in Clark County District Court and sat stone-faced as the judge sentenced him to 40 years to life

Sekyiwa broke down in tears when discussing the emotional impact her brother's death has had on her and her family

Sekyiwa broke down in tears when discussing the emotional impact her brother’s death has had on her and her family 

Maurice Shakur, Tupac's brother, said his brother was never given a trial, calling Tupac's death 'devastating' for his family and pop culture

Maurice Shakur, Tupac’s brother, said his brother was never given a trial, calling Tupac’s death ‘devastating’ for his family and pop culture

Before Davis was handed his sentence, Prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo said he would be ‘guaranteed to die’ behind bars. 

DiGiacomo argued that Shakur’s death meant more than just the killing of a family member, adding that Davis was trying to profit off the killing.  

Prosecutors argued Davis planned the strike after Shakur’s entourage attacked his nephew, Orlando ‘Baby Lane’ Anderson, a few hours earlier at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas following a Mike Tyson fight.

Davis then allegedly supplied the weapon and set in motion the shooting that killed the hip-hop icon, but did not pull the trigger.

The prosecution pointed to a 2008 agreement Davis reached with federal investigators who were looking into the death of Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls.

Davis was approached about the murder of Wallace, but instead talked about the Shakur shooting.

He had allegedly believed the deal, called a proffer, offered him immunity, but was not shielded from any future prosecution on state murder charges.

The final piece of the puzzle came when Davis published his memoir, Compton Street Legend, in 2019.

He described in the book how he played a role in Shakur’s murder, which led to a renewed investigation into the 1996 killing.

Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting. He was sitting next to Suge Knight before shots rang out. The rapper was photographed above just minutes before his death

Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting. He was sitting next to Suge Knight before shots rang out. The rapper was photographed above just minutes before his death 

Davis recalled in his memoir how Shakur and his entourage beat his nephew up hours before the drive-by shooting. 

He claimed that the alleged assault motivated the shooting, writing that he was in the passenger seat of the Cadillac and passed the gun to the backseat before shots were fired. 

Davis is the only person ever charged in the killing. The three other passengers of the Cadillac have died. 

Davis’s attorneys argued during the trial that there was a lack of physical evidence that connected him to the killing. 

After nine days of testimony, the jury deliberated for three hours and returned a guilty verdict. The defense now plans to appeal. 

Kaia Gerber, Cindy and Rande Crawford Seen Together After Presley’s Death

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Kaia Gerber has been photographed with her famous parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, for the first time since the family lost her brother, Presley Gerber, at age 27. The family continues to mourn his death three weeks later.

Presley died after suffering cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at Resolutions Living, a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica. His death was reportedly linked to a suspected overdose.

More than three weeks later, 25-year-old Kaia appeared somber during an outing with her parents, Cindy, 60, and Rande, 64, in Los Angeles on Monday.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Kaia, Cindy, and Rande for comment but has not yet received a response.

The family outing came one day after Kaia was seen in public, following reports that she had been struggling with grief 21 days after her brother’s death.

Presley had entered Resolutions Living in Santa Monica the day before he was found dead on September 20.

Kaia Gerber was seen for the first time with her famous parents Cindy Crawford and dad Rande Gerber as they continue to grieve three weeks after the death of brother and son Presley Gerber at 27

Kaia Gerber was photographed with her parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, as the family mourns the death of her brother, Presley Gerber, at 27

Presley died of a suspected overdose after going into cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at the Santa Monica rehab facility Resolutions Living

Presley died after suffering cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at the Santa Monica rehabilitation facility Resolutions Living; his death was reportedly suspected to involve an overdose

Above, Presley, Kaia, Cindy, and Rande in Los Angeles in May

Presley, Kaia, Cindy, and Rande pictured together in Los Angeles in May

Footage obtained by TMZ from the night before his death showed the model giving a solo tour of the sober living facility. He wore a white undershirt that revealed his prominent tattoos, along with a silver chain necklace and black eyeglasses.

In the clip, recorded at around 10 p.m., Presley appeared to be under the influence, staring into the camera with glazed eyes. He moved the camera through a bedroom and several other areas of the residence, seemingly alone.

According to insiders cited by TMZ, Presley reportedly “got high” on Saturday afternoon and became worried that he was losing control. His sober coach contacted the facility and asked whether he could bring Presley there, reportedly making clear that Presley was under the influence of drugs. The facility’s admissions officer allegedly agreed to accept him.

The sober coach had reportedly intended to take Presley to a rehabilitation center the following Monday and sought a temporary weekend placement. He ultimately left Presley at Resolutions Living, where sources claimed Presley continued using drugs.

A death certificate obtained by TMZ stated that Presley’s remains were “cremated” several days after his death at Rose Family Funeral Home. Crawford and Gerber are reportedly expected to keep their son’s ashes at home.

The exact substances, if any, that contributed to Presley’s death cannot be confirmed until the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report is released.

The Daily Mail previously obtained audio from the 911 dispatch call placed at the Santa Monica facility. An automated voice in the recording reportedly referred first to “cardiac arrest” and then to “overdose.”

The initial call was made at 9:35 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, concerning a cardiac arrest. Three minutes later, the incident was reportedly upgraded to an “overdose,” before the priority was raised again at 9:40 a.m. and marked as “upgraded.”

Now just over three weeks later 25-year-old Kaia looked somber while on an outing with parents Cindy, 60 and Rande, 64, in Los Angeles on Monday

More than three weeks later, 25-year-old Kaia Gerber appeared somber while out with her parents, Cindy, 60, and Rande, 64, in Los Angeles on Monday

Cindy wore a hat on the outing as she stepped out of a black Range Rover SUV

Cindy Crawford wore a hat as she stepped out of a black Range Rover SUV during the outing

The patriarch Rande was also seen on the outing

Rande Gerber was also photographed during the family outing

Presley – who started modeling from a young age like his sister – had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health problems before his death. 

Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to ‘take care of my own mental health for a bit.’

One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video and started sharing ‘Mental Health Mondays’ videos on his Instagram. In one, he listed the medication he takes for ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks,’ saying his use of medication had been ‘fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life.’

Earlier this year, he posted about having a ‘Pre-ibogaine flood dose’ at a Mexican treatment clinic, a single, high-dose administration of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine that is reported to help with withdrawal symptoms. The high dose is designed to induce a profound ‘reset.’

Presley’s parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his ‘courage’ in response to his post about starting the treatment in March.

Crawford commented: ‘You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!’ while Kaia added: ‘That’s my brother I am so damn proud.’

And Kaia wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.’

'Kaia is still struggling with the death of her brother as they were extremely close,' a source said

‘Kaia is still struggling with the death of her brother as they were extremely close,’ a source said

Presley had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health problems before his death. Source: Instagram/@presleygerber

Presley had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health problems before his death. Source: Instagram/@presleygerber

Presley’s death came just weeks after Kaia opened up about the enormous toll her brother’s struggles had taken on their famous family.

‘When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,’ Kaia told Vogue.

But for all the concerns for Kaia, our source said: ‘Kaia has not had it easy in her 25 years, but she will hang in there, she is a very strong person.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Kaia and Crawford for comment.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, you can also visit 988lifeline.org. You can also call, text or chat with a counselor by texting 988.