Devrey LaRiccia Chase, an experienced skydiver and instructor, lost her life in a tragic accident while tandem skydiving in California on August 2. The incident occurred when she and her student encountered a phenomenon known as a “dust devil,” a short-lived whirlwind. The pair spiraled out of control just 25 feet above the ground, resulting in a fatal crash.

Dust devils are relatively strong and well-formed whirlwinds that occur in hot, open areas with no clouds and a light breeze. While they typically do not pose a threat to people and property, being airborne can make them dangerous.

Devrey’s husband, Freddy Chase, a well-known skydiver and social media influencer, explained how the events unfolded during her final jump of the day. She narrowly missed the first dust devil but unfortunately collided with the second one, causing her canopy to spiral downward.

Devrey was a passionate skydiver who loved the sport. She worked for Skydive Perris, located southeast of Los Angeles, and had been part of the skydiving community for eight years. Her untimely demise has left a significant impact on her loved ones, as they set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to bring her body back to Maine, her home state.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in extreme sports like skydiving. Our thoughts go out to Devrey LaRiccia Chase’s family, friends, and the entire skydiving community.