Bode Miller's 19-month-old daughter drowns in pool, authorities say
LOS ANGELES -- The 19-month-old daughter of U.S. Olympic skier Bode Miller drowned in a Southern California swimming pool, authorities said Monday. Emeline Miller died at an Orange County hospital Sunday, the day after paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive her after the drowning incident.
"We are beyond devastated," Miller said in an Instagram post that showed several photos of the blonde, blue-eyed, chubby-cheeked toddler.
"Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this," he wrote. "Her love, her light, her spirit will never be forgotten."
A post shared by Bode Miller (@millerbode) on
In a video, Emmy, as she was known, was being kissed on the check by her mother Morgan, a professional beach volleyball player, as she repeatedly said, "Hi Dada."
One photo showed her covered in suds in a tub and another showed her smiling as she pushed two baby dolls in a pink stroller on a street with large homes in the background.
The death was under investigation, Orange County sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.
The Orange County Fire Authority confirmed to CBS News that authorities received a call 6:28 p.m. local time Saturday. Responding paramedics found the baby unresponsive. They tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate the girl and she was rushed to an emergency room and was declared dead.
"They had no pulses the whole way," said OCFA's Capt. Tony Bommarito. "It didn't end well."
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team tweeted its condolences to Miller and his family.
It is with the utmost sadness that we learned today of the passing of @MillerBode's daughter Emmy. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at U.S. Ski & Snowboard and across the whole snowsports world are with Bode, his wife Morgan and their family at this time.
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) June 12, 2018
Fellow Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn also took to Twitter with her condolences for the Miller family:
Devastating news. My deepest condolences to you and your family @MillerBode 🙏🏻
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) June 11, 2018
Miller, 40, is the most decorated male U.S. skier with 33 World Cup win, two overall titles, four world championships and six Olympic medals, including gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games in the super-combined. At the 2014 Sochi games, he was the oldest alpine skier -- at age 36 -- to win a medal.
Despite his skill on skis, he has been known at times for eye-raising comments and behavior, claiming he had raced in a World Cup event while still drunk from partying the night before.
Miller, who has three other children, asked for privacy for the family in his Instagram post.