RHOC's Lydia McLaughlin Speaks Out on Brother's "Unimaginable" Death

‘RHOC’ Alum Lydia McLaughlin Speaks Out on Brother’s “Unimaginable” Death

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Lydia McLaughlin shared a heartbreaking tribute to her brother following his shocking passing.

Geoffrey "Geoff" Shyam Stirling Jr., a model-turned actor and producer, was shot dead by police after a road confrontation on a highway near Newport Beach in Southern California's Orange County April 17. He was 45.

"My family has experienced an unimaginable loss," Lydia wrote on her Instagram April 19. "My brother, Geoff, was tragically taken and our hearts are shattered."

Lydia's sibling died six months after their mother Judy Stirling, who had appeared a few times on RHOC, passed away after battling breast cancer for years.

"This was the song he turned to after we lost our mom. He’d cry every time," Lydia, 44, wrote in her online tribute, alongside a photo of Geoff. "I can’t believe we’re facing this pain just 6 months after losing my best friend and mother."

The Newport Beach Police department said In a statement shared on social media April 18 that one of its officers had shot Geoff, a resident of Laguna Niguel in Orange County, after pulling him over while he was driving a motorcycle on Pacific Coast Highway.

"Shortly after being stopped, Stirling became uncooperative and assaulted the officer," the statement said. "During the ensuing violent altercation, Stirling managed to remove the department-issued taser from the officer’s duty belt and attempted to deploy it multiple times against the officer. At that point, an officer-involved shooting occurred."

The police department said additional officers responded to the scene and rendered medical aid to Geoff until fire department personnel arrived, after which he was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

"Dear Brother," he wrote on Instagram April 20. "We have hundreds of photos together and shared thousands of adventures. I don’t even know how to begin this memorial. I’ll just say that you left us too soon at age 45. I’ll miss your spirit full of laughter and boundless enthusiasm. Though our time together was heartbreakingly cut short, the memories we created will forever echo in my heart."

Jesse continued, "In every joke we shared, in every moment of joy- every hike, tennis match, basketball game, Bible study, meditation, movie watched, video project created, yoga sesh, or deep conversation about the meaning of life- you taught me the meaning of brotherhood and friendship."

Jesse said Geoffrey is "forever etched" in their family's hearts. "We will carry your spirit with us, honoring your memory with every step we take," he wrote. "Rest in peace, dear brother. You are missed beyond words, and loved beyond measure."

Lydia commented, "Love you brother."

"Dear Brother," he wrote on Instagram April 20. "We have hundreds of photos together and shared thousands of adventures. I don’t even know how to begin this memorial. I’ll just say that you left us too soon at age 45. I’ll miss your spirit full of laughter and boundless enthusiasm. Though our time together was heartbreakingly cut short, the memories we created will forever echo in my heart."

Jesse continued, "In every joke we shared, in every moment of joy- every hike, tennis match, basketball game, Bible study, meditation, movie watched, video project created, yoga sesh, or deep conversation about the meaning of life- you taught me the meaning of brotherhood and friendship."

Jesse said Geoffrey is "forever etched" in their family's hearts. "We will carry your spirit with us, honoring your memory with every step we take," he wrote. "Rest in peace, dear brother. You are missed beyond words, and loved beyond measure."

Lydia commented, "Love you brother."