Tragic Loss in Skydiving Community: Beloved Instructor Devrey LaRiccia-Chase Passes Away
The skydiving community is mourning the loss of a beloved member, Devrey Jane LaRiccia-Chase, who tragically passed away in a skydiving accident. The news was shared by her husband, Freddy Chase, a well-known daredevil athlete, in a deeply moving tribute.
Devrey, a 28-year-old full-time skydiving instructor from California, was adored by many for her passion and expertise in the sport. The devastating accident took place during a routine jump at Skydive Perris, where Devrey had recently started working. Her husband, Freddy, took to Instagram to explain the events that led to the heartbreaking incident.
“Hey everyone…,” Freddy began, “I want to thank all of you for the love I’ve received over the past few days and know I will continue to receive for days to come because of this terrible event.”
Freddy shared that Devrey was in high spirits on the day of the accident, excited about her role as a tandem instructor. During her last jump of the day, everything seemed to be going as planned. She was preparing for a safe landing when she encountered what skydivers refer to as “dust devils”—small, unpredictable whirlwinds that can be extremely dangerous during a jump.
“At about 40ft, Devrey avoided one of them, but caught a second one,” Freddy explained. “With dust devils going over grass, they become invisible because you can’t see any dust in the direction they’re going.”
The sudden encounter with the dust devil caused her parachute canopy to spiral out of control. Though Devrey was still alive when she hit the ground, she was unconscious and tragically passed away later at the hospital due to her injuries.
Freddy shared a touching video of Devrey before taking it down, saying that it felt “too close to her death.” In his emotional tribute, he wrote, “I loved that perfect girl,” expressing the profound love and loss he felt.
Before publicly announcing the tragedy, Freddy posted a heartfelt message on Instagram dedicated to his late wife. “My soul, my love, my other half, my baby, my ride or die, my everything, my wife…,” Freddy wrote. “You were [too] perfect for this world and God just wanted to bring you home, you were an angel amongst us and just was called back to heaven.”
He expressed the immense difficulty of saying goodbye to Devrey, acknowledging that it was the hardest thing he would ever have to do. “I love you so much, my now and forever angel,” he concluded.
The skydiving community and Freddy’s followers have offered an outpouring of support. Many shared their condolences and memories of Devrey, describing her as a light in the world. Comments on Freddy’s post reflected the deep impact she had on those around her.
In the wake of her passing, Devrey’s family set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of bringing her body back to Maine, where she was born and raised. The page has received overwhelming support, raising over $53,000 as of Monday night. Her family expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed, writing, “We wanted to thank everyone who has donated thus far.”
Devrey was also known for her love of raves, often sharing photos and videos from these events, reflecting her vibrant personality and zest for life.
Freddy Chase, who has over 400,000 Instagram followers and more than 2.5 million followers on TikTok, is renowned for his daring stunts, including jumping from extreme heights. His content often showcases his calm demeanor, a trait he attributes to his extensive experience with over 800 skydives.
The loss of Devrey LaRiccia-Chase is a profound tragedy, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. As Freddy and her family navigate this difficult time, the skydiving community and beyond continue to offer their support and condolences. Devrey’s memory will live on in the hearts of many, remembered for her passion, her love for life, and the joy she brought to those around her.
“Blue skies and fly high,” a sentiment shared by her family, captures the spirit of a woman who was deeply cherished and will be sorely missed.
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