Lydia McLaughlin‘s brother, Geoffrey Shyam Stirling, was fatally shot by police on Thursday during a traffic stop in Newport Beach, California. And now, days later, we’re learning new details about what led up to the devastating turn of events.
Credit: Michael Simon/startraksphoto, IMDb
As the 44-year-old Real Housewives of Orange County alum spoke of her brother’s tragic death, which came just months after she lost her mom, Judy Stirling, to breast cancer, the Newport Beach Police Department shared a statement on social media titled, “OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING UPDATE.”
“On April 17, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., a Newport Beach Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle on West Coast Highway between Superior Avenue and Hoag Hospital. The rider, identified as Geoffrey Shyam Stirling, a 45-year-old resident of Laguna Niguel, was stopped for a traffic violation,” the message began on Facebook.
“Shortly after being stopped, Stirling became uncooperative and assaulted the officer. During the ensuing violent altercation, Stirling managed to remove the department-issued taser from the officer’s duty belt and attempted to deploy it multiple times against the officer. At that point, an officer-involved shooting occurred,” it continued.
The police department noted that additional officers responded to the scene and offered medical assistance to Geoffrey until the Newport Beach Fire Department arrived. Once transported to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead.
The department is conducting an independent investigation of the scene and circumstances. Once complete, the Department of Justice’s Special Prosecutions Section will embark on its own review.
After Geoffrey’s passing, Lydia shared a message with her fans and followers on Instagram, which featured Billie Eilish‘s “Birds of a Feather.”
“My family has experienced an unimaginable loss. My brother, Geoff, was tragically taken and our hearts are shattered,” she wrote. “This was the song he turned to after we lost our mom. He’d cry every time. I can’t believe we’re facing this pain just 6 months after losing my best friend and mother. I know they’re both with Jesus now, and He’s walking with me through this darkness. One step at a time.”
“Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us,” she added.
Lydia McLaughlin and her family were featured on The Real Housewives of Orange County seasons eight and 12.
