Tragedy Strikes: Investigation into the Death of Angela Chao Continues
In a shocking turn of events, Angela Chao, the 50-year-old CEO of Foremost Group, lost her life in a car accident on February 11. The incident occurred on a private ranch in central Texas when her Tesla drove into a pond. While initial reports suggested it was a tragic accident, Texas officials have since revealed that they are treating the case as a criminal matter until they gather sufficient evidence to rule out foul play.
Blanco County officials, who have been leading the investigation, have stated that Ms. Chao “succumbed from being under the water.” However, they have also described the incident as “not a typical accident.” In a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the county office emphasized the ongoing criminal investigation. They have refrained from releasing key details such as the exact location of the accident and 911 logs, citing concerns that doing so could hinder their progress.
This statement caused a stir, prompting national attention and speculation about the circumstances surrounding Ms. Chao’s death. However, Chief Deputy Robert Woodring of the Blanco County sheriff’s office has since clarified that there has been no change in the investigation’s direction. Woodring maintains that their preliminary investigation has determined the incident to be an unfortunate accident. Nevertheless, the investigation will continue until all necessary information has been gathered and documented.
Blanco County public information officer Kimberly Ashby, who initially stated that the investigation was being treated as a criminal matter, has attributed the media frenzy to a “misinterpretation of a sentence.” Ashby also mentioned that the national news coverage surrounding the case was unexpected.
The property where the accident occurred, JW Ranch, is registered under an entity with the same Chicago address as Breyer Capital, a venture capital firm founded by Ms. Chao’s husband, Jim Breyer. The connection between Ms. Chao’s family and China’s top levels of politics and business has also come under scrutiny. Her father, James Chao, was a former schoolmate of Jiang Zemin, the deceased Chinese communist leader. Both Angela Chao and her father have held positions on the boards of major Chinese state firms, and Angela Chao herself was a board member of the Bank of China and the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
These ties to China became particularly relevant when Angela Chao’s elder sister, Elaine Chao, served as the transportation secretary in the Trump administration. A report by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General in 2021 concluded that Elaine Chao had used her position to further her family’s interests. The report cited instances of helping with immigration status and involving relatives in official trips to China.
Adding another layer to the investigation is Jim Breyer’s own involvement with Chinese entities. He served as co-chair of IDG Capital, a Beijing-based investment management firm that was recently listed by the Department of Defense as a “Chinese military company.” Breyer has also been involved with Tsinghua University, a state-funded institution in China.
Angela Chao’s tragic death has had a profound impact on her family, including her brother-in-law, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. In a recent speech, McConnell mentioned her passing as a reason for his introspection and emphasized the need to consider one’s impact on the world.
As the investigation continues, questions remain regarding the circumstances surrounding Angela Chao’s death. Until officials gather all the necessary evidence, the case remains open.
