E! Online
One day after former reality star Lyric McHenry passed away, her family is speaking out and is emphasizing that her cause of death has not been determined.
McHenry, who appeared on E!’s EJNYC, was found on a New York sidewalk at approximately 5am on August 14, 2018 and passed away an hour later of a suspected overdose at 26 years old.
“The McHenry Family deeply appreciates the many communications of support from Lyric’s many friends upon learning of her untimely death at approximately 6:00 AM the morning of August 14th, 2018,” the family said in a statement. “Despite the speculation in earlier reports, at this point in time the cause of Lyric’s death has yet to be determined.”
“In contrast, what is factual and known is that Lyric who just turned 26 last week on August 6, was a brilliant, creative and lovely young woman who shared a deep passion for writing, film and a long-standing commitment to social justice. She was a Christian who grew up in Los Angeles and attended the Center for Early Education and graduated from the Marlborough School in Los Angeles.”
“Lyric graduated from Stanford University in 2014 where she studied in Paris, France for a year and spoke fluent French. She began her career in the entertainment industry as an intern on The Real Hollywood Husbands TV show. Thereafter, she worked at United Talent Agency (UTA) and found her true passion, internet content and went on to work at Refinery 29 and Complex.”
“Lyric worked on numerous social justice issues throughout her high school years including volunteering for the Obama Campaign in 2007-2008 at age 15 and again in 2012, both times working on the LA fundraising staff and organizing various campaign events. Lyric produced and raised funds via crowd funding for her first film which won several film festival awards, and was a Producer and member of the cast of E! show EJNYC.”
“Currently, Lyric was working on packaging and development of several well-regarded film and TV projects. She was also interviewing for several West Coast Media jobs having returned to LA in February from working in NYC for several years and preparing her applications for a business school MBA Program.”
“Lyric’s warmth, compassion and energy will be missed by many and the family would appreciate that all speculation surrounding the circumstances of death cease until the real facts are determined during the current investigation by the NYPD and the City of New York,” concludes the statement. “Lyric is the daughter of Producer and Director Doug McHenry, an award-winning filmmaker known for New Jack City, The Brothers, Jason’s Lyric and approximately 20 other films. He graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. Her mother Jennifer, a stylist to the stars including Oprah Winfrey as one of her clients. She is also survived by her sister, Maya McHenry.”
While a suspected overdose is being named as the reason for her death, reports are indicating that McHenry was also 20 weeks pregnant, however the Daily Mail reported that her family did not know about the pregnancy.