It has been revealed who the other victim of the bizarre skydiving accident—which also claimed the life of the daring influencer’s wife—was.
When their parachute became entangled in a powerful dust devil and sent them down to the ground violently, two people lost their lives. Devrey LaRiccia Chase, a skydiving instructor and the wife of influencer Freddy Chase, was named as one of them on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Kayla Kieko Black, a trainee for LaRiccia Chase, was the second victim.
According to KTLA, during LaRiccia Chase’s final training jump of the day, which occurred east of Los Angeles, on Friday, the two women were brought to the hospital. She had jumped like this hundreds of times before, according to her husband Freddy.
The teacher was declared dead shortly after being brought to the hospital that day. Black’s father said that she passed away on Sunday, a few days later.
Chase claimed that just as he and Black were ready to finish, dust devils got in their way.
“She missed the first one, but when she moved around it, she hit the second one,” the skydiving enthusiast stated.
At that moment, she was between 25 and 30 feet in the air.It caused her canopy to topple over and fall.
Everything happened so fast that the teacher was hardly able to respond. They smashed into the earth because they were unable to stop.
On Instagram, where more than 400,000 people follow him to witness his wild skydiving videos, Chase just shared a memorial to his late wife.
“There was no malfunction or issue with the aircraft. In an Instagram story about her passing, he said, “She was turning her canopy on final to land safely on the grass, just like she had done hundreds of times before.”
“In our industry, we refer to them as “dust devils”—mini tornadoes that pose a threat to athletes.”
“Devrey avoided one of them at about 40 feet, but he caught a second one. When dust devils fly over grass, you can’t see any dust in their path, so they become invisible.”
HEARTS TRIBUTES: MELT
Later, the skydiving enthusiast wrote a heartfelt ode to Devrey and shared a slide show with ten images of the duo.
“I’m not sure how to write this… I am at a loss for words. However, I’m going to attempt. The caption’s opening said, “Devrey Jane Lariccia Chase, my soul, my love, my other half, my baby, my ride or die, my everything, my wife.”
“It was a gift to spend those five priceless years with you; you made me a better man, and you are the reason I know true love exists. You were too perfect for this world, and God just wanted to bring you home. You were an angel among us and just got called back to heaven.”
Chase expressed their affection for one another and her passion for skydiving.
“You never complained and you loved being in people’s lives, whether it was skydiving, traveling, or spending time with friends and family.”
He referred to her as his “forever angel” and “perfect” at the conclusion of the heartfelt post.
“Devrey Jane Lariccia (chase), my now and forever angel, I love you so much.”
One of the women’s friends told The U.S. Sun how much affection the skydiving community possesses.
“People who love life and want to share and experience it with others” make up the skydiving community. Another skydiver, Tiffany McGuinness, stated, “This kind of tragedy doesn’t happen very often and it breaks my heart that these two beautiful, lively souls died.”
It’s really amazing how the skydiving community continues to demonstrate the love, support, and humanity that make the world a better place.
“I hope that the empathy, words of support, and love that the skydiving community and the rest of the world have shown their loved ones in this time of extreme sadness will bring some small comfort to both families.”
McGuinness claimed that Lariccia Chase and Black both made the most of each day.
Because life is so precious, we ought to cherish each day and spend it doing things that bring us joy, as Kayla and Devrey did. The deaths in these families have left us all very saddened.
She concluded her homage to them with the phrase “Blue Skies,” which skydivers use to wish one another safety, well-being, and positive feelings.
In memory of Black, 28, Black’s friends and relatives are also commenting on social media.
Black’s uncle Jeff Cohen posted on Facebook, saying, “This has been a very hard week.”
“My lovely niece Kayla Kieko Black, who was 28 years old, went to live with the Lord after a skydiving accident.” Please ask for prayer for our family to overcome their sad emotions.
In his article, he provides a link to a GoFundMe page created by a close friend of the Black family.
GoFundMe was created to assist Black’s family in covering the cost of her funeral when news of her passing was released.
According to the GoFundMe page, “Kayla was deeply cherished by her family and friends, who will forever remember her kindness, warmth, and unwavering support.”
“We find solace in the knowledge that Kayla’s life will continue because of her selfless decision to donate an organ during this extremely difficult time.” Her generosity will provide hope and new beginnings for a great number of individuals and families in need.
Friends and family of Black sent remarks in memory of the young woman under the GoFundMe page.
“You are loved, little sister. My superior twin, you are and always will be. A contributor inscribed, “You deserve the best and you will be in a better place,” next to their $300 donation.
More than $11,000 has been raised thus far, about half of the fundraiser’s $25,000 target.