By Yelena Mandenberg
Police have announced that they're launching a "criminal investigation" into the death of a shipping CEO who is also the sister-in-law of Mitch McConnell.
Earlier this month, police pulled the body of Foremost Group CEO Angela Chao, the sister-in-law of the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, from a car submerged in a Texas lake. Chao, 50, was found shortly after midnight on February 11 after officers pulled out a car that was driven into a pond on a private ranch in Johnson City, about 40 miles from Austin.
"This incident was not a typical accident," the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday. "Although the preliminary investigation indicated this was an unfortunate accident, the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating this accident as a criminal matter until they have sufficient evidence to rule out criminal activity," the letter said.
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Because the matter is still under investigation, police said they can't share anything related to the case, but implied that the Blanco County Sheriff's dept has reports, 911 logs, audio and video evidence that they will share when the investigation comes to a close.
The sheriff’s office previously February 16 stated that, "EMS attempted emergency measures on Ms. Chao but she succumbed from being under the water. "Our preliminary investigation has determined this to be an unfortunate accident. The investigation is ongoing at this time," the prior statement said.
Police say the ranch where Chao's car was found was connected to her husband, venture capitalist Jim Breyer. Breyer has an office in Austin. Chao was the sister of McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who has served as secretary of both the U.S. Labor and Transportation departments.
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The Austin American-Statesman reported fire officials "were in the water standing on what they believed was the vehicle, trying to gain access to the possible victim inside the vehicle." Rescuers fought to save Chao and then spent at least 43 minutes administering CPR.
Chao's father, James S.C. Chao said his daughter was "thoughtful, kind and devoted... a much-loved charismatic and visionary leader."
His statement said: "It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved youngest daughter, Angela Chao. Angela is a brilliant woman, a charismatic and visionary leader and much-loved by all her sisters, our entire family and friends. As a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, wife and friend, she was unfailingly filial, thoughtful, kind and devoted."
