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Sport Illustrated's Hunter McGrady shares ‘gut wrenching’ family news

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Hunter McGrady has shared the tragic news she is mourning the loss of her younger brother, Tynan.

The 28-year-old, who is currently expecting her first child with husband Brian Keys, took to Instagram to share a heartbreaking tribute to her sibling, who she called “the most kind, gentle, loving, beautiful, intelligent, funny human being this earth has ever known.”

hunter mcgrady and brother tynan
Hunter McGrady shared a heartbreaking tribute after the death of her younger brother. Photo: Instagram/hunter mcgrady

“The most gut-wrenching words I’ve ever had to write in my life, one that no one ever wants to," she said alongside photos of her and her brother over the years.

“My chest is heavy and I feel like I’ll never breathe again, I don’t know how this pain repairs or if it ever feels like life can live again. My baby brother went to be with the Lord on May 1st.”

“If you know me you know I rave about my brother, he is and will always be the love of my life,” she continued.

“I would text my brother every single night the words ‘Goodnight I love you’ because I never wanted a day to go by without him knowing how much I love and adore him.”

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Tynan was just weeks away from graduating from San Francisco State University with a computer engineering degree.

Hunter McGrady
Hunter McGrady was deemed the 'curviest model' to be photographed for Sports Illustrated in 2017. Photo: Getty

“I’ve never known someone to be so passionate about computer engineering, coding, cars, and gaming. He was knowledgeable about this stuff beyond belief, he would show me his homework and I felt like Einstein was showing me something,” she said.

“There is no telling why these things happen, why accidents happen, why life is taken too short. I’m so grateful for the beautiful 23 years God gave us with him.

“Thank you for making me a big sister. Thank you for your heart. Goodnight my sweet beautiful Bubba, I love you.”

Her post was flooded with support and messages of condolence from fans and fellow stars, with model Tess Holliday writing: "I am so sorry Hunter. If he was anything like you and Michaela, I know he was an extraordinary person."

Hunter McGrady first appeared in SI Swimsuit back in 2017 when she deemed the 'curviest model' to be photographed for the issue at a size 16.

In July 2019, she was revealed to be the first plus-size bride to appear on the cover of The Knot. She returned for her fourth spread in the legendary swimsuit magazine in 2020.

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