• Angela Chao was having a “women’ weekend” at her Texas ranch when she died, an incident report mentioned.
• Chao referred to as one of many pals she was with as her Tesla was sinking, per the report.
• In line with the report, two of the buddies swam and kayaked out into the pond to attempt to discover her.

As her Tesla was sinking in a pond simply earlier than her demise, Angela Chao referred to as her good friend she had simply had dinner with at her Blanco County, Texas, ranch and advised her she cherished her, in keeping with a newly launched incident report from the Blanco County Sheriff’s Workplace.

Chao, who was the chair and CEO of the delivery firm the Foremost Group, died within the early hours of Sunday, February 11. Chao was additionally the spouse of Jim Breyer, the enterprise capitalist founding father of Breyer Capital, and the sister of former cupboard secretary Elaine Chao, who’s married to Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell.

The police report from the Blanco County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned Chao was having a “women’ weekend” at her ranch with a bunch of shut pals when the incident occurred on Saturday, February 10. The group, which included distinguished feminine enterprise leaders, attended a Pitbull live performance in Austin on Friday and spent Saturday visiting the ranch, one of many ladies advised police.

The ladies had dinner that night on the visitor lodge on the property and wrapped up at round 11:30 p.m. native time, in keeping with the report, which cited dinner attendees. A number of ladies advised police they had been all in good spirits throughout the get-together.

Footage from cameras on the property confirmed Chao left the lodge and walked to her Tesla at round 11:37 p.m., with a blanket wrapped round her and her cellphone held to her ear, the report mentioned. A pond on the property was positioned between the visitor home and the principle home, in keeping with the report.

Chao, in her Tesla, reversed into and over a limestone barrier wall, coming into the water, the report mentioned. Video footage from cameras on the property confirmed the Tesla then floated to the middle of the pond, police mentioned.

At round 11:42 p.m., Chao referred to as one of many pals she had simply had dinner with, Amber Landeau-Keinan, and calmly advised her she was within the pond, in keeping with the report. After Chao mentioned her toes had been underwater, her good friend advised her to get out of the automotive.

“In a peaceful voice, Chao informs Keinan she will not be capable of get out of the automobile,” the police report mentioned, citing an interview with Landeau-Keinan. “Chao advised Keinan the water was rising and she or he was going to die and mentioned ‘I really like you’ to Keinan previous to the automobile going underwater.”

The telephone name lasted about 8 minutes, Landeau-Keinan advised an investigating officer.

One other good friend who was on the property, Victoria Garcia, acquired into the pond and swam towards the Tesla, whereas Landeau-Keinan acquired right into a kayak and paddled towards the automotive, in keeping with the report, which cited interviews with the individuals who had been current.

Landeau-Keinan and Garcia didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider.

When legislation enforcement arrived, Chao and the Tesla had been within the water for about 21 minutes, with the automobile submerged about 25 yards from the shore, police mentioned. After a number of failed makes an attempt, responders had been capable of take away Chao from the automobile at about 12:56 a.m. native time. CPR was carried out, however Chao was pronounced lifeless on the scene.

A toxicology report later discovered that Chao’s blood-alcohol focus was 0.233, nearly thrice the authorized restrict.

Breyer, Chao’s husband, mentioned in an emailed assertion to BI: “I’m heartbroken by this horrible tragedy. I’m so appreciative for the outstanding efforts of the numerous first responders in Blanco County who did every thing doable to save lots of my fantastic spouse’s life.”

In an announcement supplied to BI, a spokesperson for James S. C. Chao, Chao’s father, and household mentioned: “Angela’s passing was a horrible tragedy, and phrases can not describe the household’s profound grief. The household is grateful for the primary responders and pals who tried so arduous to save lots of her.”