The brother of The Real Housewives of Orange County alum, Lydia McLaughlin, has reportedly been shot dead. He was 45.
Geoffrey Shyam Stirling was reportedly fatally shot by police during a routine traffic stop on Thursday, according to TMZ, who first reported the news on Friday, April 18. Per the outlet, Stirling was pulled over by authorities while riding his motorcycle along the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, California and was “uncooperative.”
Confirming his death, McLaughlin, 44, shared her devastation of the loss of her brother via a statement to TMZ.
”My family and I are devastated by the loss of my brother,” she said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the community. We kindly ask for privacy as we mourn.”
Newport Beach Police Dept shared more details of the incident via their Instagram page on Friday night.
“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.
It 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.”
Lydia McLaughlin. (Photo by Getty)
The post added that medical assistance was attempted before Stirling was taken to hospital.
“Additional officers responded to the scene and rendered medical aid to Stirling until personnel from the Newport Beach Fire Department arrived. Stirling was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased,” the post read.
The Instagram post also stated that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) was notified due to California law and will be conducting an independent investigation into the incident.
Although McLaughlin did not specifically mention her brother’s death on her social media channels, she posted a cryptic post via her Instagram on Friday.
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The reality star shared an image featuring the words: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
She then captioned the post, “Because of the pain of Good Friday, we have the JOY of Easter Sunday. 
#JesusIsLord”
McLaughlin’s former RHOC costar Vicki Gunvalson replied to the post, sending her condolences in the comments section.
“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. 
”
The death comes around six months after McLaughlin’s mother, Judy Stirling, died from breast cancer on October 8, 2024. Earlier this month, McLaughlin was candid about the grief that came with losing her mom.
“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. 
,” McLaughlin via an Instagram tribute on April 8 that commemorated six months since her mother passed away.
“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. 
.”
