Heidi Montag's Stepbrother Dies in Accident

Posted Mar 3rd 2008 10:23AM by TMZ Staff

The stepbrother of "Hills" star Heidi Montag has died in a freak accident at a hotel where he worked in Colorado.

Eric O'Hara, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, died a month after his discharge from the Army after falling off of an icy roof.

O'Hara was working at the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel Thursday, helping to remove snow from the resort's roof. According to the Rocky Mountain News, he had just released a safety clip he was attached to so he could move along the roof when a piece of ice broke loose and he slid down the sloped roof and fell over the edge.

Heidi's father Bill married O'Hara's mother Terri.

In statement to TMZ, Heidi says, "Losing my brother, at an early age is such a tragedy. I just loved him more than anything. He was just so patriotic. He really wanted to go to and help and do all that he could for his country. He felt like it was his duty. I'll really miss him."

Filed under: The Hills, Reality TV

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31. Is that a smirk on her face? Bee-atch!

Posted at 11:47AM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Roger C.

32. You know, I don't like her either but my condolescences go out to her and her family. People please, have a little heart. Either show some respect or don't say anything. period. Think about the times you've lost a loved one and how awful you felt. So not necessary to say these things right now.

Posted at 11:50AM on Mar 3rd 2008 by twelve

33. Why oh why couldn't Heidi or Spencer have that job and a similar result. Do feel bad for him; but now he will not have to die of embarrassment from the media whore.

Posted at 11:53AM on Mar 3rd 2008 by demented and sad but social

34. And... now people are throwing their two cents in on your brother. Isn't it just great that because of your media whoring you have to sit here and read all of the nasty comments on your family while grieving? People are disgusting and you are no longer seen as a human with feelings. Just give it up and go back to Colorado. Sometimes, fame just isn't worth it. Family is.

Posted at 11:56AM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Local Reporter

35. Sorry heidi...that is sad.

Posted at 11:59AM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Ali

36. I dislike (hate) Heidi and Spencer VERY much, but no matter how much I dislike a person, it is NEVER a good thing when someone passes away. I feel very badly for Heidi and I hope people will leave her alone for at the very least, the next few months. This is a tragedy and we should treat her and her family (but not Spencer) with some respect.

Posted at 12:12PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Brad

37. I do agree with someone's comment above - why couldn't Spencer have been on that icey roof?

Posted at 12:14PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Brad

38. My deepest sympathies Heidi to you and your family.

Posted at 12:20PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Nancy

39. so sorry for your loss, heidi. you are aces in my book after you rescued lilo's mother from that train wreck tara reid.

Posted at 12:23PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by souxie summers

40. Just a girl...peopel can say whatever the hell they want.

Posted at 12:28PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Rozie

41. I read on the people site that his grandma said the destruction of the twin towers gnawed at him so he wanted to go fight in Iraq. Could someone tell grandma dumbass that Iraq didn't destroy the towers?

Posted at 12:31PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by wtf

42. I feel terrible for Heidi and her family. I wish her all of the best. What a horrible loss. How very sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to Heidi and her family.

Posted at 12:47PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by RUBY

43. No matter what you think about her or her boyfriend, this is sad and should be treated with respect. TMZ~ please do the right thing and remove the offensive posts.

Posted at 12:56PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Kate

44. I don't understand why we should start liking Heidi because someone just died. She had nothing to do with that, yet she's going to milk it for all it's worth. I still believe that Heidi is a skank and will continue to feed off negative publicity for as long as she can. I would not be surprised at all if she's not sad and called in the story to TMZ. This is Heidi we're talking about! She has no feelings at all for other people! Once she starts showing sympathy for others, THEN I might feel sorry for her. But as long as she continues this narcissistic drama of hers, we should not feel a thing for her.

Posted at 1:04PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by john

45. That is sad for her family, but honestly you think Heidi and Spencer will put out a sex tape rumor about him just to make them selves look good. Hey sorry but Heidi and Spencer both a mulipative people and yes I feel for the family and I respect her brother but I have no respect for her or Spencer.

Posted at 2:05PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Heidi

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