Home Blog Page 549

Orlando City Hall Suspicious Incident Sparks Police Investigation

Suspicious incident under investigation at Orlando City Hall (Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police said Monday they are looking into a suspicious incident reported at Orlando City Hall, according to an update shared by the department on social media.

The Orlando Police Department posted the alert around midday, noting that officers were at the scene. Authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the area while the investigation continues, the social media post said.

A News 6 crew is headed to Orlando City Hall, and updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.


High-Flying 32-Year-Old Hit by Truck After Moving to America

0

The mother of a 32-year-old woman who had recently begun building a new life in the United States is speaking of her devastation after her daughter died in a tragic accident on San Francisco’s well-known Market Street.

Yebin Kim was traveling east on Market Street on Friday, August 7, when the tire of her scooter became trapped in the streetcar tracks that stretch along the three-mile corridor, San Francisco Streetblogs reported.

Moments later, Kim was hit by a delivery truck traveling in the same direction. Internal police reports said she sustained a traumatic head injury despite wearing a helmet, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kim had moved from South Korea to the United States about a year and a half earlier to advance her career.

She was originally from Sacheon, a small coastal city in South Korea, and was the eldest daughter in a working-class family of five, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

While her parents worked late hours, Kim took care of her younger siblings while ambitiously chasing her own goals.

Kim attended Seoul National University, a prestigious school with cutthroat admissions. 

After graduating, Kim moved to California to work at QCells, a global renewable energy company – first at their Irvine office, and then at their San Francisco location.

Yubin Kim was a 32-year-old woman from Sacheon, South Korea who had moved to California a year and a half prior to pursue her career goals. She died in a vehicle collision on Market Street in San Francisco when her scooter tires got stuck in the streetcar tracks.

Yubin Kim was a 32-year-old woman from Sacheon, South Korea who had moved to California a year and a half prior to pursue her career goals. She died in a vehicle collision on Market Street in San Francisco when her scooter tires got stuck in the streetcar tracks. 

Kim's mother, second from left, flew to San Francisco to collect her daughter's belongings after the tragic accident. Kim was supposed to fly to South Korea to visit her family less than a month from the day she died

Kim’s mother, second from left, flew to San Francisco to collect her daughter’s belongings after the tragic accident. Kim was supposed to fly to South Korea to visit her family less than a month from the day she died

‘Yebin went to the States to chase her dreams and came home to Korea as a cold body. I cannot understand why Yebin had to die there,’ Kim’s mother, Yonga Cho, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

‘I miss everything about her. I want to give her a hug, but I can’t. Now that I’m home, I still hear her voice, like she’s going to come into the room saying “Mom.”‘

She was cremated and laid to rest at a cemetery about 50 minutes from her childhood home, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

At a vigil held for Kim by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC), advocates demanded a safer Market Street, including physical barriers to protect scooter and bike drivers from trucks, buses and streetcars. 

‘Yebin Kim’s death marks the 17th fatality due to traffic violence on our streets in 2026, and the first scooter rider death,’ a statement from the group read.

The fight to make Market Street safer has been a decades-long battle for thousands of San Francisco residents and dozens of organizations.  

In 2020, private vehicles were banned from Market Street. The result was a 14% increase in transit service and a 40% reduction in injury collisions, according to WalkSF, a non-profit organization that has advocated for pedestrian safety in the area for almost 30 years.

Last August, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie allowed Uber, Lyft and Waymo vehicles back on the street. This decision was met with scrutiny, as it’s a back-pedal on the original promise of a car-free Market Street. 

Witnesses reported that they saw Kim's scooter get stuck in the streetcar tracks right before she got hit by a truck

Witnesses reported that they saw Kim’s scooter get stuck in the streetcar tracks right before she got hit by a truck

In August 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie allowed Uber, Lyft, and Waymo to drive on Market Street which was met with criticism from long-time advocates for a Car-Free Market Street

In August 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie allowed Uber, Lyft, and Waymo to drive on Market Street which was met with criticism from long-time advocates for a Car-Free Market Street

In 2020, Market Street took a stride towards reducing traffic accidents by banning all private vehicles

In 2020, Market Street took a stride towards reducing traffic accidents by banning all private vehicles

San Francisco’s District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey was the only lawmaker in attendance at the Market Street Vigil held for Yebin Kim, according to SF Streetblogs. ‘Some time we’ll get Market Street right,’ he said, ‘then we’ll ask why it took so long.’ 

The family’s attorney, Rich Schoenberger of Walkup, Melodia & Schoenberger, said that police provided little information on Kim’s death, despite their requests. 

The attorneys are considering a wrongful death lawsuit, if additional information reveals that the city of San Francisco or the truck driver to be at fault, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. 

According to SF Streetblogs, it is unclear if there is a criminal investigation being pursued towards the truck driver. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mayor Lurie and the SFPD for comment. 

Coors Light Can DNA Leads to Arrest in 1981 Texas Murder Case, Affidavit Says

0

DNA evidence has resulted in the arrest of Kelly Lee Brower, who is accused in the 1981 killing of Yolanda Herrera in Texas, according to details outlined in an arrest affidavit.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas — Investigators say DNA collected from a beer can helped lead authorities to a man they believe was responsible for a decades-old Texas murder, according to an arrest affidavit.

Kelly Lee Brower has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the death of 23-year-old Yolanda Herrera.

Authorities said Herrera was last seen on April 11, 1981, as she left Johnny’s Inn, a bar in Universal City, Texas. Investigators believe she was heading home during the early morning hours.

Two days later, two children walking to school found her nude body in a field. An autopsy determined her death was a homicide caused by multiple blunt force injuries. Universal City police said the evidence also indicated Herrera had been sexually assaulted before she was killed.

According to the arrest affidavit, DNA samples were collected, including fingernail clippings from the victim and a sperm sample. These were sent off for testing in the 2000s and came back with partial profiles, confirming they came from the same person. Several persons of interest and witnesses submitted their DNA but were ultimately cleared.

Authorities said in 2021, a male DNA profile was built and one sample that genealogical testing was done on revealed a name for Brower.

Later in 2025, samples collected during the initial investigation were sent to a different laboratory with technology capable of testing smaller samples. The testing provided authorities with a DNA profile for an unidentified person, which was then searched against profiles in the FamilyTreeDNA database from individuals who had allowed law enforcement to use their information for forensic genetic genealogy. Those results pointed investigators to Brower. 

Investigators discovered that Brower lived in Universal City at the time of the murder and now resided in Cottonwood, Arizona. They believed he moved to Seattle in early 1982 and lived in other places. Police said his only prior crime was a larceny charge. 

According to the affidavit, officials traveled to Arizona, conducted surveillance, and obtained DNA samples from Brower, including a Coors Light can from his trash. In February 2026, investigators determined that DNA from Herrera’s fingernail clippings matched the male DNA profile from the beer can. 

Investigators said Brower was interviewed by the Cottonwood Police Department on August 13 and initially denied knowing Herrera or anything about her murder. A second interview was conducted a couple of days later, and investigators said he confessed to the murder and said, “I’m sorry for what I did.” 

A warrant was obtained for his arrest, and he was taken into custody with a charge of capital murder. Brower was extradited to Texas.

“This is a testament to the commitment that is involved that after 45 years, we have made an arrest in the murder of Yolanda Herrera,” Lieutenant Stephen Rios of the Universal City Police Department said in a press conference on August 25.

Investigators said that there is no evidence that Brower and Herrera knew each other prior to the murder.

Tipsy Range Rover Driver Hit 105 MPH Before Crash That Killed 3: Police

0

Inset: Kyle S. Stansil (Dane County Jail). Background: Law enforcement responding to the deadly 2025 crash scene (WMTV).

A 40-year-old Wisconsin man who was allegedly “tipsy” behind the wheel is accused of speeding close to 105 mph before losing control of a Range Rover in a violent crash that killed all three passengers, who were thrown from the vehicle.

Kyle Stansil now faces 16 felony charges tied to the November 2025 fatal crash. Court records show the counts include three charges each of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, and first-degree reckless homicide, along with six counts of homicide by vehicle use of a controlled substance.

In a press release, the Madison Police Department said officers with the Monona Police Department arrested Stansil on Tuesday in connection with the deadly wreck. Investigators said “excessive speed, alcohol and drugs” were all believed to have played a role in the crash.

The fatal collision occurred at about 1:28 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2025, in the 6800 block of Cross Country Road on Madison’s southwest side, according to a report from Madison NBC and CW affiliate WMTV.

A probable cause affidavit obtained by the station states that Stansil and several passengers had been drinking at a bar before getting into the Range Rover. One person from the bar who spoke to police reportedly described Stansil as “pretty drunk I think” and “tipsy” before he got behind the wheel.

The Range Rover was traveling east at high speed when it struck a “No Parking” sign, dragging it more than 300 feet across open ground before returning to the road and slipping several times, according to local ABC affiliate WKOW. Stansil and all three passengers were ejected from the Range Rover. Three passengers died at the scene, while Stansil was taken to a hospital and admitted in critical condition.

The Dane County Medical Examiner identified those killed as Makiewa Turner, 43; Allen C. Wright, 50; and Kadija Barry, 31. A small dog also died in the crash, police said.

Authorities obtained a warrant for Stansil’s arrest on Dec. 23, 2025, but he was not taken into custody until Tuesday.

The defendant appeared in Dane County court Thursday, where a court commissioner set his bond at $750,000 cash, records show. Prosecutors reportedly pointed to the seriousness of the charges and alleged that Stansil had a “record of failures to appear” for court dates.

The mother of one of the victims, Sophia Barry, told the court she did not want Stansil released.

“I know you’re going to do the right thing, but I don’t want to see him out at all,” Sophia Barry said, per WMTV. “He had no remorse. He didn’t think about no one else but himself. And he’s a risk.”

Stansil’s attorney argued that $750,000 was excessive, asserting that his client spent months hospitalized and in rehabilitation after the crash and was still undergoing serious medical treatment.

Prosecutors countered that Stansil’s injuries had not prevented him from allegedly committing other offenses while the case was pending, alleging that Stansil had been “selling drugs while he was out.”

“He killed three people,” Dane County Assistant District Attorney Lexi Keyes said. “I think $50,000 is absolutely too low for what he’s done here.”

The commissioner ordered Stansil to remain in detention on $750,000 cash bond. If released, Stansil must wear a GPS monitor and submit to alcohol and drug monitoring, and he cannot contact the victims’ families or leave the state without approval.

Stansil is scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing Sept. 3.

The post Man was ‘tipsy’ before driving Range Rover 105 mph, crashing into sign, fatally ejecting all 3 passengers: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.

South Carolina Woman Accused of Stabbing Lyft Driver 11 Times Cites Mental Health Crisis

0

A South Carolina woman accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times and then stealing his vehicle will remain behind bars after a judge denied her bond Friday, despite her attorney’s argument that she was in the midst of a serious mental health crisis at the time of the alleged attack.

Naziyha Weatherall is charged in Greenville County with attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Court records show the case is tied to an alleged incident on April 22.

During Friday’s bond hearing, prosecutors described the accusations as a “frightening factual scenario,” according to FOX Carolina, and urged the court to consider Weatherall an extreme threat to public safety.

“The victim was simply just trying to do his job and was stabbed 11 times,” a solicitor said, according to FOX Carolina. “Not only was he stabbed 11 times, his car was then carjacked by this defendant.”

Naziyha Weatherall mugshot

Naziyha Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Greenville County. (Greenville County Sheriff’s Office)

The driver’s wife appeared in court on his behalf, saying the trauma of the alleged attack prevented him from attending.

“What concerns us most is that happened while my husband was simply working,” she said. “He was not looking for any confrontation, he was providing a service to a person. If this level of violence could happen to someone who was simply doing his job, we are concerned about potential risks to other people in our community.”

Weatherall’s lawyer urged the court to view the allegations through the lens of her mental state, saying she had never previously been charged with a crime and was in the throes of a psychiatric emergency.

A Lyft vehicle

Naziyha Weatherall faces charges of attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Greenville County, in which she is accused of stabbing a Lyft driver 11 times. (iStock)

The defense said paranoia had convinced Weatherall that others were monitoring her and trying to harm her, prompting her to summon a ride to report her fears to police.

“Her mother even called the police station to let them know she was on the way to make a report,” the attorney said. “During that, the crisis got worse.”

The attorney said Weatherall believed she was being trafficked, panicked during the ride and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.

A split image shows downtown Greenville, South Carolina, beside a booking photo of Naziyha Weatherall.

Greenville, South Carolina, is pictured beside a booking photo of Naziyha Weatherall. (Getty ; Greenville County Sheriff’s Office)

The defense said Weatherall is now medicated, stable and competent, and asked the court to release her so relatives and a social worker could arrange placement at a treatment facility.

Weatherall’s mother apologized to the driver’s family while asking the court to consider her daughter’s mental state.

“She’s not a criminal. She would never, ever, ever hurt anybody like that,” her mother said. “And I understand the family’s side, I truly do, because we are all suffering. We all are.”

A gavel on a bench as people leave court

Naziyha Weatherall was denied bond. (iStock)

A judge ordered competency and observation evaluations in June, court records show. On Friday, the judge denied Weatherall’s bond request and ordered that she remain jailed pending a psychological evaluation scheduled for September.

Lyft told News Media it permanently removed the rider accounts involved from its platform and has continued assisting law enforcement.

“Violence like this has no place in the Lyft community or in our society,” a Lyft spokesperson said. “The driver’s well-being has been our priority, and we have reached out to them and their family to offer support.”

News Media has reached out to Weatherall’s attorney for comment.

Grand Canyon Hiker Shared Selfie Before Disappearing in Deadly Flash Floods

0

A Texas father of three captured what appeared to be a joyful vacation moment at the Grand Canyon, smiling for a selfie amid the park’s sweeping rock walls, just one day before he disappeared with his hiking group during deadly flash flooding that has killed at least one person and left roughly 15 others unaccounted for.

Dr. John Giusti, 46, a chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, had been hiking and camping with two friends when intense rainfall triggered a sudden surge of water, mud and debris through Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday.

One of the last images Giusti shared from the trip shows him standing before the Grand Canyon’s dramatic cliffs — a poignant snapshot of the outdoorsman before he vanished in the fast-moving floodwaters.

Giusti’s younger sister, Valerie Gibbs, told The New York Times that it was his first visit to the Grand Canyon.

Family members described him as healthy, energetic and passionate about hiking and running. They said they last heard from him around 2 p.m. Saturday, shortly before the destructive flash floods swept through the area.

His wife, Janet Giusti, issued a desperate plea for prayers after learning that her husband’s hiking group was among those unaccounted for.

“We ask our ChiroHabit community to please lift up my husband, his hiking group, and our families in your thoughts and prayers during this time,” she wrote in a Facebook post that was later deleted, according to the Times. 

“Please pray for Dr. John’s safety,” she separately wrote in an update shared by his practice. 

Giusti is one of roughly 15 people the National Park Service was still trying to account for Sunday following the flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.

Separately, a 46-year-old man was confirmed dead.

His body was recovered Sunday near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the National Park Service said. Officials have not released his identity.

The disaster unfolded around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when intense rainfall sent torrents racing through the canyon. More than 60 people were ultimately airlifted from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.

The flooding obliterated footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, ripped debris and metal structures into the Colorado River and severely damaged infrastructure throughout the canyon. The park’s water pipeline was also knocked out, forcing emergency water restrictions and the closure of overnight accommodations. 

The NPS is asking anyone who may have information about hikers or backpackers in the Bright Angel Creek corridor Saturday to contact its Investigative Services Branch.

The request includes people who may have traveled the North Kaibab Trail, stayed at Bright Angel Campground or been in an area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch. 

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also offered her support to the families waiting for answers.

“My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon. DEMA is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.

“Thank you to the first responders on the ground working to keep our communities safe when disaster strikes,” she wrote Sunday. 

The park remained closed in several affected areas as crews continued the search and assessed the extensive damage.

Two Friends Found Dead After Canoe Trip to See Bioluminescence

0

Two friends who headed out on a late-night canoe trip to witness the Bay Area’s striking bioluminescent waters were later found dead, officials said.

Casey Flynn Melia, 36, and a second person whose name has not been released were discovered Sunday at about 1:30 p.m. after setting off around midnight on Tomales Bay, a narrow coastal inlet in Marin County, California.

The unidentified man was found in the water, while Melia was located on shore just north of Hog Island, NBC Bay Area reported.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said Melia, who lived in San Francisco, and his friend had been wearing life jackets during the outing.

They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned, the Marin County Fire Department told the San Francisco Chronicle. 

The details of what led to their deaths remain unknown. The investigation is being led by the Sonoma and Marin County Sheriff’s Offices. 

Melia’s official cause of death is pending. Routine toxicology testing and a post-mortem examination are scheduled for later this week, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said. 

A pair of friends were found dead on Sunday afternoon after they set out in a canoe in Tomales Bay around midnight to witness the yearly luminescence spectacle

A pair of friends were found dead on Sunday afternoon after they set out in a canoe in Tomales Bay around midnight to witness the yearly luminescence spectacle

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. (Pictured: Bioluminescence in San Diego in 2024)

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. (Pictured: Bioluminescence in San Diego in 2024)

Tomales Bay is known for its dangerously cold water, hazardous conditions near the sandbar and the mouth, and strong afternoon winds. 

The friends had planned to camp at White Gulch Beach, which is located directly on the western shore of Tomales Bay, according to the Chronicle. 

They ventured into the water to witness the annual bioluminescence, a phenomenon that is sometimes visible along the bays and coast in California. 

The spectacle takes place when the small organisms in algae, known as dinoflagellates, bloom after they become agitated. 

The tiny organisms emit flashes of light through a chemical reaction with a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme known as luciferase, causing a vibrant blue color to glow in the water. 

Bioluminescence takes place every year from June to October in Tomales Bay. 

The phenomenon also takes place in other locations across the US, including the Outer Banks, North Carolina. 

It also occurs in Vieques, Puerto Rico; Space Coast, Florida; San Diego, California; San Juan Island, Washington; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Tybee Island, Georgia; and Kona, Hawaii, according to Travel + Leisure. 

Both men were wearing life jackets, authorities said. They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned. (Pictured: Stock image of canoers in Tomales Bay)

Both men were wearing life jackets, authorities said. They were reported missing after they failed to return from their trip as planned. (Pictured: Stock image of canoers in Tomales Bay)

Bioluminescence occurs most commonly among squid, fish, and ‘gelatinous zooplankton’, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said. 

The ‘gelatinous’ species include jellyfish, comb jellies, siphonophores, and other sea animals that are mostly made of water, the agency added. 

The Daily Mail contacted the Sonoma and Marin County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Marin County Fire Department and the Marin County Coroner’s Office for comment. 

5 Morning Exercises Men Over 60 Need to Rebuild Muscle

0

These trainer-approved morning exercises can help men over 60 rebuild and maintain the muscle needed to stay strong, active, and independent.

1788193831 –>

One of the tougher realities of aging is that muscle gradually declines with each passing decade. The process, known as sarcopenia, can begin as early as your 30s and often speeds up once you reach your 60s. The good news: research shows that muscles can still respond to regular resistance training at any age. Even better, you don’t need heavy dumbbells, complicated machines, or a costly gym membership to make meaningful progress.

The key is consistency, especially after 60. Building strength requires showing up regularly, and mornings can be the ideal time to get it done before the day gets busy. Studies suggest that completing a short workout early may make it easier to turn strength training into a routine you’ll actually stick with.

Chair Sit-to-Stands

The chair sit-to-stand engages lower body muscles that are essential for walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from a seated position. If you can do it safely, try standing without pushing off with your hands for an extra challenge.

How to do it:

  1. Sit near the front of a sturdy chair with your feet planted firmly on the floor.
  2. Lean slightly forward and flex your core.
  3. Stand up all the way without using your hands if possible.
  4. Lower yourself slowly back to the chair with control.
  5. Perform two to three sets of 10 to 12 reps.
  6. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

5 Home Exercises That Build a 6-Pack in 21 Days After 60

Wall Push-ups

Wall push-ups are an accessible way to work the chest, shoulders, and arms without getting down on the floor. Pressing your chest toward the wall and pushing away provides real resistance for the upper body while keeping the movement joint-friendly. If you’re up for it, make it more challenging by stepping your feet farther from the wall.

How to do it:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Step your feet back until your body forms a straight line.
  3. Bend your elbows to bring your chest toward the wall.
  4. Push yourself back to the starting position.
  5. Keep your core braced throughout the entire movement.
  6. Complete two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

Glute Bridges

As the name implies, glute bridges target your glutes and the surrounding muscles that support your hips. Pressing through your feet to lift your hips builds the lower body strength behind everyday movements like standing and climbing stairs.

How to do it:

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Rest your arms at your sides.
  3. Press through your feet to lift your hips.
  4. Pause for one to two seconds at the top.
  5. Lower your hips slowly with control.
  6. Aim for two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

6 Standing Exercises That Strengthen Your Midsection Faster Than Crunches After 60

Standing Calf Raises

Standing calf raises strengthen the muscles at the back of your lower leg, which are involved in almost every lower body movement and supporting balance. For added support, hold onto a chair or counter for safety if balance is an issue.

How to do it:

  1. Stand tall while holding a chair or counter for support if needed.
  2. Keep your legs straight but not locked.
  3. Slowly rise onto the balls of your feet.
  4. Pause for one to two seconds at the top of the movement.
  5. Lower your heels with control.
  6. Complete two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps.
  7. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

If You Can Walk This Many Steps in 90 Seconds, You’re in Great Shape

Ina Garten Reveals Why She and Jeffrey Never Had Children

Ina Garten says she has no regrets about the life she and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, built without children.

In a new interview with the New York Times, the 78-year-old celebrity chef reflected on that choice, saying parenthood would likely have changed the course of their marriage and careers. “I think it would have been difficult, and I think Jeffrey and I would have had a different life together,” she said.

Garten emphasized that she does not view one path as better than the other. “I’m not saying it’s a better life or a worse life,” she explained, noting that there were periods when Jeffrey’s ambitions took them in very different directions — including the time he decided to launch a business in Japan and moved there.

During that period, Ina was based in East Hampton, and the couple kept their relationship going by traveling “back and forth” between their separate worlds.

“We figured it out,” she recalled. Looking back, the Barefoot Contessa star said that kind of flexibility may not have been possible with children, especially while she was working long hours at her store, managing catering jobs and running the business day to day.

The couple eventually married in 1968.

Before her big breakthrough, Ina had been working for the government when she saw a classified ad for a gourmet foot store in West Hampton, called The Barefoot Contessa, for sale.

She transformed the store, began catering and went on to author nearly a dozen bestselling cookbooks and host a successful Food Network series.

“I think it would have been much harder,” Ina told the NYT of what her life would have looked like if she had children.

“I’ve never looked back on the decision and thought, ‘I should have done it differently.’ I understand how my friends have wonderful families, and they really enjoy being parents, but it’s just not something I ever wanted to do.”

In her 2024 memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” Ina also revealed that an unhappy childhood contributed to her decision not to have kids.

“When I got married, I just thought I would be the wife and we would have children and we would have a traditional relationship,” she told Hoda Kotb in 2025.

“In my 20s, I kind of resisted having children. I was like, why would I want to re-create that nightmare that I just came from? And I thought that’s what life at home with children would be. (It) never occurred to me that other people’s lives were different because that was my experience.”

Ina added in her book, “And then one day, maybe when I was around 25, I thought,’ I just don’t want to have children.’ I just don’t want to do that. And thank God [Jeffrey] is amenable to what I would I want. He wants me to be happy and it was OK.”