Pregnant Reality TV Star Lyric McHenry Found Dead

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Lyric McHenry, who appeared on the reality series, “EJNYC” was found dead at 5 a.m. on a New York City sidewalk on Aug. 14, the New York Daily News reported.

McHenry was 20 weeks pregnant at the time of death, she was found in a pajama top and underwear but with no pants. The authorities suspected she died of a drug overdose when they found a small bag containing cocaine.

After she was taken to Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, she was pronounced dead. Police are now investigating how she ended up on the sidewalk.

There were no visible signs of trauma other than bruises on her knees. An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death, Fox News reported.

One of the “EJNYC” cast members told NY Daily News that she was going to grieve with the family. “She was an amazing friend, so fantastic. I’m absolutely heartbroken, I’m going to be grieving with the family.”

A Bronx resident wondered why she was on these streets at night.

“She shouldn’t have been on this block at night time,” said George Smith. “I’m a man, and I wouldn’t walk down here by myself. That’s a fact,” New York Post reported.

At age 15, McHenry worked for the Obama campaign.

The 26-year-old was known for being on “EJNYC,” a reality show that focuses on the world of fashion follows the life of its cast members. McHenry and her sister, Maya, produced the show with Ej Johnson, the son of the NBA legend Magic Johnson. After the show ended she worked as an assistant producer, freelance writer, and producer in 2017.

Her father, Doug McHenry, is a film director and producer known for the 1990s film “Jason’s Lyric'' starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Allen Payne, and Forest Whitaker.

Since she was 11-years-old, McHenry worked for a non-profit organization that helped South African society fight AIDs/HIV and empower South African youths.

At the age of 12, she participated in her first debate tournament and even with little experience and training, the preteen was awarded First Place Speaker. From that day onward, her interests in leadership and politics gripped her and never waned.

Elected to be a part of the Ron Brown Scholarship, she eventually graduated from Stanford University majoring in pre-law. During her time there she founded the Young Democrats Club, a pathway for young people to enter into politics.

She participated in the dramatic arts from a young age, joining the Drama Ensemble, the School’s elite drama group.

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She was also consistently an Honor Roll and Head of School List student. In order to be listed, a student must not receive a grade lower than a B, or receive an overall B+ with no grade below C.

Described as someone with ‘‘intellectual vitality and curiosity,’'  she was never interested in pursuing the highest grades. Her passions led her to the works of Leo Tolstoy and South African writer J.M. Coetzee.

Her Instagram page reveals her love for Tolstoy, one of the great Russian writers, by showing a photo of a signed ‘‘Anna Karenina’' novel by translators Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.