or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoNEWS

Tony Hsieh Slept With Propane Heater And Candles Before Fatal House Fire, Officials Report

tony hsieh death house fire police report investigation
Source: MEGA

Jan. 31 2021, Updated 1:39 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

An official investigation into the house fire that killed former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has concluded, the New London Police Department in Connecticut announced on Tuesday.

According to witness reports cited by police, on November 17, Hsieh decided to sleep in the shed next to the main house after getting into a heated argument with the homeowner, who has since been identified as former Zappos employee Rachael Brown.

Article continues below advertisement

Hsieh was staying at the home with his younger brother Andrew and several other friends, CNN reports. They were all expected to leave for Maui, Hawaii, the following morning — a trip which had been planned by the tech mogul. 

But after their quarrel at 11:30 PM, the homeowner requested him to leave the property until their departure to the island in the morning. The Chicago native entered the shed just before midnight and was being checked on every 10 minutes. 

'DRUGS ARE THE DEVIL': FRIENDS & FANS MOURN THE LOSS OF MODEL HARRY BRAND, DEAD FROM AN ACCIDNETAL OVERDOSE AT 24 

Article continues below advertisement

His personal assistant, Brett Gorman, had told police that when he went to see how Hsieh was doing, the latter was laying down while his “blanket was almost touching the flame of the candle” he had lit. Hsieh didn’t hesitate to blow the candle out after it was pointed out to him.

The group had likewise provided him with a portable heater to keep himself warm.

Article continues below advertisement

He requested that “he be checked on every 5 minutes instead,” which everybody was happy to comply with, the incident report continued

During the first five-minute check, however, witnesses recalled smoke coming from the shed and they couldn’t open the door because it had been locked from the inside. 

MORE ON:
Celebrity Deaths

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Article continues below advertisement

Witnesses mentioned how they were forced to break a nearby window in an attempt to extinguish the fire inside the shed as they waited for emergency services to arrive. 

The fire department reached the Connecticut home at 3:30 AM and forced their way into the shed in a desperate attempt to save Hsieh. He was immediately rushed to the hospital.

LOOKING BACK: SEE PHOTOS OF LATE 24-YEAR-OLD HARRY BRANT, SUPERMODEL MOM STEPHANIE SEYMOUR & FAMILY THROUGH THE YEARS 

Article continues below advertisement

Hsieh died on November 27, with an official medical examination determining he had developed brain edema from smoke inhalation as he laid unconscious in a room filled with flames.

The cause of the fire remained “undetermined,” while his death was ruled as accidental.

Cigarettes and a marijuana pipe were found in the area of the origin, which police did not rule out as a potential source of where the fire could have started, yet the cause of death remained "undetermined" at the end of the investigation.

The findings of alcohol and drugs in the shed suggest that Hsieh was under the influence, which would explain why his loved ones didn't hear him yell for help when the blast began.

AMERICAN MURDER STORY: 11 TRUE CRIME SCANDALS THAT SHOCKED THE NATION

More From OK! Magazine

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.