Angela Chao, the CEO of New York-based dry bulk shipping company Foremost Group and sister-in-law of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), reportedly made a frantic call to her loved ones just moments before her car submerged in a Texas pond on February 10.

This harrowing incident occurred during a gathering at a ranch where Chao was celebrating the Chinese New Year with friends from Harvard Business School.

Report: Mitch McConnell’s Sister-in-Law, Angela Chao, Made Desperate Call for Help Before Her Death https://t.co/P3mBerUnOD

— RedState (@BordersUSA) March 9, 2024

The report

According to details outlined in a Wall Street Journal article referenced by the New York Post, the events unfolded after a dinner celebration on Friday night.

Around 11:30 p.m., Chao left the guesthouse to return to the main house where her son was sleeping. Opting to drive her Tesla Model X SUV due to the cold weather, she attempted a routine three-point turn.

A critical error occurred as she mistakenly placed the car in reverse instead of drive, leading to its unintended entry into the nearby pond.

In a state of alarm, Chao urgently contacted a friend, relaying the dire situation as her vehicle quickly submerged. Responding swiftly, friends and ranch staff rushed to the scene to aid Chao.

Emergency crews from Blanco County arrived approximately 24 minutes after the distress call, confronting challenging terrain to reach the site of the incident.

The rescue attempt

Despite valiant efforts to extricate Chao from the submerged vehicle, including attempts to break open a window and utilize a tow truck, she remained unresponsive when eventually pulled from the car around 1:00 a.m.

Emergency responders worked tirelessly for 43 minutes in an attempt to revive her, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Chao's death prompted a subsequent criminal investigation. The outlet highlighted Chao's familial ties, including those to McConnell's wife, former transportation secretary Elaine Chao, and their extensive financial connections to the Chinese government.

Schweizer's take

These connections were a subject of concern raised by author Peter Schweizer during a 2021 interview on SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily.

Schweizer emphasized the potential implications of Foremost Group's business dealings with the Chinese government, citing worries about undue influence on the McConnell-Chao family.

Chao's untimely passing and the subsequent investigation shed light on the complexities of personal and political connections in high-profile situations, prompting questions and concerns about potential external influences on prominent figures in American politics in the aftermath of the tragic loss of life.