Heidi Montag's Stepbrother Dies in Accident

Heidi MontagThe 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

Reader Comments

(Page 5 of 10)Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. ...What the hell is the matter with you people? I don't *watch* her show, nor do I care too-- but this girl just lost someone she cares about. I'm sure her family is dealing with a lot, and you all have the nerve to post nasty inhuman comments about her? Really; What meaning do YOUR lives have if all you do is sit on a computer and post insults about someone you don't even really know? Reality star blahblahblah. You see what she puts on for a camera, but you don't know her at all. How would you feel if people slandered your name right after you lost someone close to you? Pathetic. Everyone who has posted something nasty; You're pathetic, and God help you.

To Heidi and her family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Posted at 3:23PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Kris

62. OMG!!!! How could you be so ignorant and cruel. This girl just lost her brother. I am by no means a fan of hers nor will I ever be, but you have no right to disrespect her or her family in a time like this. How would you feel if you just lost a member of your family and people were calling you a b**ch and making it sound like you deserved it because of who THEY see on tv. Non of you personally know her and have no right to judge her. Her brother is an American Hero and should be given respect as such. My prayers are with her and her family.

Posted at 3:38PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Keni

63. What a sad situation. My prayers go out to Heidi and her stepbrother's family and friends. And a big thanks to her stepbrother for serving our country.

Posted at 3:53PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by rebma

64. How sad to go over to a war zone and fight for your country and make it back just to fall off a roof to your death. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Posted at 3:53PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by michelle

65. maybe Spencer filmed it with his video camera and will try and sell it to the media

Posted at 4:00PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by lauren c.

66. I agree with the comment about however you feel about her. this is a sad time for her and her family and my thoughts and prayers are with her and them. no one should suffer tragedy and hear crummy comments at the same time. Regardless of what she has done, she's a human being and should be treated well during this time.

Posted at 4:08PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Patty

67. That is so sad. I feel so sorry for Heidi right now. It would be heart breaking if I lost my brother. I hope everything goes well and prayers go out to your family.

Posted at 4:25PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Fastcat91

68. That is horrible and I feel bad for her and her family. Having said that, please God don't let her write a song about it.

Posted at 4:25PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Mother

69. I am proud to say that I served along side Eric, part of the same unit. The United States needs more Patriots like Eric instead of these people bashing his family for a tragic accident. The people who write these very poor comments are the very people whom sit on there asses and have nothing else to do, unlike Eric whom served his country proudly. Because of people like Eric, people have FREEDOM, lets not forget who the real heros are. My condolences go out to his family. ERIC, "AIRBORNE, ALL THE WAY"

Posted at 4:30PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by ludalog3

70. Wow--ok people....no matter who it is....we show some respect and decency when they experience a tragedy. No one deserves this to happen to them. You would not want people who do not like you personally to laugh and parade around in glee when something bad happens to you. Remember the golden rule. And for those of you who don't know it, it basically goes like this....act towards others as you would like for them to act towards you in the same situation.

Posted at 4:38PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Jayne

71. It's really rude how people can be these days. Heidi, I know you will get through this tough time. Everyone has heartache but you just have to be strong. My husband is the foreman in roofing, and I worry about that everyday, Because he came close twice of falling off and told me that one of his best friends lost his balance and fell in freshly laid tar and almost died. It makes you worry about things like this. Well I am truly sorry and hope you get through this rough time.

Posted at 4:47PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Hernandez

72. No doubt Heidi & Spencer will try to sell staged photos of them grieving at the funeral. So help me TMZ if you let them and post them on your site i'm never coming back here again. Celeb gossip is funny and all, a guilty pleasure sort of thing but this nonsense with those 2 went beyond insulting the day you posted their show on that boat when she had the shoes as a gift.

Posted at 4:51PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Hogzila

73. For all you people that left heartless comments remember that this is somebody's son brother new son in law and was a fiance to one of my best friends... Eric was an incredible person and a modern day hero after serving two tours in iraq and doing over 80 raids.. He went under fire to pull his fallen soldiers from battle.. This is about him, he was Heidi's brother so show some respect for the loss of her family including his immediate family and his close friends from Steamboat.. He will be sorely missed by all of us who grew up with him. R.I.P. Sgt. O'Hara we'll miss you.

Posted at 4:54PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Chris Dombey

74. You talk about her whoring around. Do any of you know this for sure? No, your not in her shoes. People that put others down are usually unhappy with themselves. I think you must be jealous of her to say so many awful things about her. This isn't about her. It's about her brother dying, and we should all remember that. He served our country for you all have the right to write what you want on this board.

I'm so sorry for her loss and for her families loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.

God be with you!

Posted at 5:12PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Kay

75. I agree with Kelli
No matter how you feel about her show some respect - he served our country in a brave way

Posted at 5:19PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Yoni

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