Former Real Housewives of Orange County star Lydia McLaughlin opened up about the “unimaginable loss” of her brother Geoffrey Shyam Stirling’s death at age 45 in a reported shooting.
“My family has experienced an unimaginable loss. My brother, Geoff, was tragically taken and our hearts are shattered,” McLaughlin, 44, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, April 19.
Stirling was reportedly fatally shot by police during a routine traffic stop on Thursday, April 17, according to TMZ. He was allegedly uncooperative after being pulled over by officers while riding his motorcycle along the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, California.
McLaughlin acknowledged in her memorial statement that Stirling’s death was doubly tragic for her because she lost her mother, Judy Stirling, at age 76 in October 2024.
“I know they’re both with Jesus now, and He’s walking with me through this darkness. One step at a time,” McLaughlin added via Instagram. “Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us.”
McLaughlin previously released a short statement following her brother’s death in which she said her family was “devastated by the loss.”
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the community. We kindly ask for privacy as we mourn,” she concluded.
The Newport Beach Police Dept subsequently offered preliminary details about the shooting incident via Instagram on Friday, April 18.
“On April 17, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., a Newport Beach Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle on West Coast Highway between Superior Avenue and Hoag Hospital. The rider, identified as Geoffrey Shyam Stirling, a 45-year-old resident of Laguna Niguel, was stopped for a traffic violation,” the post read.
The police statement continued, “Shortly after being stopped, Stirling became uncooperative and assaulted the officer. 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.”
Courtesy of Lauri Peterson/Instagram; Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Fans of the Real Housewives series have come to know and love not only the cast members of the Bravo franchises, but their spouses, kids and other loved ones – which makes their deaths hit harder. Real Housewives of Orange County alum Lauri Peterson shared in April 2024 […]
McLaughlin’s former RHOC costar Vicki Gunvalson was among those to publicly reach out via Instagram.
“Lydia — I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother!” Gunvalson, 63, wrote. “My heart hurts for you and your family. Peace be with you.”
Earlier this month, McLaughlin marked the six-month anniversary of her mother Judy’s death from breast cancer with a poignant social media tribute.
“I have gone to a beautiful group called Grief Share which has helped me in my healing and processing my grief. It’s a nationwide group if anyone needs support, I recommend them,” she wrote via Instagram on April 8. “Grief can make you better or bitter. I am putting in my whole heart to turn my sorrow into thanksgiving, for having the privilege to have such a beautiful mom. She will always be my hero, and my favorite.”
McLaughlin originally joined The Real Housewives of Orange County in season 8 as a friend of cast member Alexis Bellino, but left after a single season. She made an unexpected return to the Bravo reality show’s 12th season in 2017, before once again departing after one year.
