'Real Housewives' executive dies after childbirth
A reality TV executive died after giving birth to her son.
Lauren Miller, executive assistant of the reality television franchise Real Housewives, "died unexpectedly just moments after giving birth to her baby boy," her employer, Shed Media, said in a statement posted on Instagram.
"It is with devastated hearts that we share that our beloved colleague, Lauren, died unexpectedly just moments after giving birth to her baby boy," it said. "Lauren leaves behind her husband, Kevin, 3-year-old daughter, Emma, and newborn son, Jackson."
The company urged the public to donate to Miller's husband, noting he's taking "on this unexpected role as sole provider of the family."
"Of all the things Lauren loved most, being a mother was at the top and ensuring that her children are being taken care of would mean everything to her," it added.
Bravo, the TV network that airs Real Housewives shows, and Kate Casey, a podcaster focusing on unscripted TV, in a joint Instagram post, also announced that Miller died on June 9.
"Lauren had been a valued member of the Shed team for nearly nine years, supporting productions, from Real Housewives of New York and Salt Lake City to Paris in Love," it said. "In the wake of this unimaginable loss, her family has established a fund to support Kevin and the children as they navigate this difficult time."
Real Housewives deals with the professional and personal lives of affluent women from a particular city. Paris in Love, meanwhile, revolves around the married life of socialite Paris Hilton.
In a GoFundMe organized by Sherri Pender on June 12, Shed Media executive in charge, Miller is described as "the kind of person who could comfort you with just a few words, because she always spoke from the heart."
"Anyone that knew Lauren was affected by her warm smile, kind heart and thoughtful, intuitive nature," the GoFundMe post read. "She was sincere, intentional and compassionate, but among her greatest qualities was the love she had for her family."
On June 13, Pender shared an update from Kevin, saying Jackson was out of the neonatal intensive care unit and already at home with him and Emma.
“He has been an angel and has eaten and slept like a champ," Kevin is quoted as saying.
Pender added that Jackson "is so alert and attentive already at just 4 days old," and shared photos of the family.
"As Lauren’s co-workers, we are all truly blown away by the depth and breadth of the response. As we cope with our own grief, it has been so incredibly touching to see how this fundraiser has spread. We blew past our first target and are quickly approaching the second," she added. The fundraiser has a goal of $150,000 (P8.4 million) to date.
She noted that they're in touch with a charity that offers baby formula and diapers to families after a maternal loss.
"They can also connect Kevin with support groups. He has a long road ahead and we want to make sure we are there for him throughout," Pender added. "Continuing to share this fundraiser will be so meaningful."
