Former ‘RHOC’ Star’s Brother Dies After Being Shot During SoCal Traffic Stop

The death comes a little over six months after Lydia McLaughlin’s mother died from breast cancer.

Lydia McLaughlin attends Fashion Island's StyleWeekOC in Newport Beach, Calif., on Sept. 16, 2017. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Fashion Island's StyleWeekOC Presented By SIMPLY

Lydia McLaughlin, a former cast member of the Bravo reality show “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” is mourning the loss of her brother, whose death comes a little over six months after the television personality lost her mother to breast cancer.

The reality star’s older sibling, Geoffrey Stirling, was shot last week during a routine traffic stop in Southern California.

“My family has experienced an unimaginable loss,” McLaughlin, 44, shared via Instagram on April 19, two days after Stirling was involved in a confrontation with a police officer.

“My brother, Geoff, was tragically taken and our hearts are shattered,” she continued.

“I can’t believe we’re facing this pain just 6 months after losing my best friend and mother. I know they’re both with Jesus now, and He’s walking with me through this darkness. One step at a time. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us.”

According to an April 18 press release issued by the Newport Beach Police Department, Stirling was pulled over on April 17 at around 9:15 p.m. for a traffic violation. The 45-year-old had been riding his motorcycle on West Coast Highway at the time.

“Shortly after being stopped, Stirling became uncooperative and assaulted the officer,” the statement reads.

“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.”

Officers responding to the scene provided medical aid to Stirling until the Newport Beach Fire Department arrived. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.

“Once their investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section for independent review,” the press release stated.

Another McLaughlin brother, Jesse Stirling, remembered their late sibling on Instagram, writing that he is “missed beyond words and loved beyond measure.”

“I’ll miss your spirit full of laughter and boundless enthusiasm. Though our time together was heartbreakingly cut short, the memories we created will forever echo in my heart,” Jesse Stirling wrote in part.

‘Miss You More Than Ever’

McLaughlin, who shares three sons with her husband, Doug McLaughlin, starred in the eighth and 12th seasons of  “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” which premiered in 2013 and 2017, respectively.

The television personality’s mother, Judy Stirling, regularly appeared alongside her on the show. The pair also starred in the digital series “Glitter Town” together, which premiered in September 2020.

Last fall, McLaughlin took to Instagram to share that her mother had passed away. She was 76.

“My mom passed away last night,” McLaughlin announced on Oct. 9, 2024. “We are heartbroken but we know she’s dancing with Jesus. Fairdust, confetti bombs and crowns like heaven has never seen before.”

In a since-expired Instagram Story, McLaughlin later revealed that her mother had died following a years-long battle with breast cancer.

“She lived two years longer than her [doctors] expected,” McLaughlin shared on Oct. 23 of that year, per Us Weekly. “She was very private about being sick, she never wanted that to be part of her identity. She is the strongest person I’ve ever met and I have learned so much walking with her through this journey.”

McLaughlin issued a tribute to her mother on the one-month anniversary of her death, expressing gratitude to those who were there for her in her time of need.

“I can’t imagine going through this alone. The prayers, texts, flowers, phone calls and check-ins make me feel loved and not alone. I am so thankful,” she wrote on Nov. 8, 2024.

McLaughlin said she was also thankful for the “special bond” she and her mother shared.

“The lessons she has instilled in me, and continues to teach me; even now on this new journey. She was such a free spirit. ‘Silly is good’ was one of the last things she said to me. That and ‘You will always be my favorite,’” the reality star penned.

“I miss you more than ever mom. You’ll always be my favorite.”