SAS Australia is all about overcoming intense physical and emotional turmoil, and 2021 recruit Jett Kenny is expected to confront his feelings over the death of his sister Jaimi late last year.
The son of Ironman Grant Kenny and Olympic swimmer Lisa Curry lost his sister in September 2020 when she was just 33-years-old. Since then, he has been open about the struggles his family has faced over losing an integral part of their family.
But what do we know about Jett’s late sister Jaimi?
Content warning: This article discusses mental illness, alcohol abuse and eating disorders, and therefore might be distressing to some readers.
Jaimi Kenny’s Diagnosis
When the Kenny-Curry family announced Jaimi’s devastating death on September 14 2020. It was the first time most people had heard of the 33-year-old’s health struggles.
The heartbreaking statement from Grant and Lisa read that she had “passed away peacefully” after battling “a long-term illness”.
“We thank all the paramedics, support staff and the incredible team at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for their tireless commitment to give us the extra time we were able to spend with Jaimi,” Lisa wrote online.
The family didn’t elaborate on what her illness were at the time. however, in the lead up to her death, Jaimi was reportedly receiving treatment for an eating disorder at a private Sunshine Coast clinic, End ED.
Millie Thomas, an eating disorder recovery coach at the clinic, also paid tribute to her “best friend” following her tragic death.
The End ED clinic told News.com.au that it was respecting the family’s privacy but said Jaimi and Millie had an “extremely close” relationship.
The Kenny Family Was Told Jaimi Wouldn’t Make It To 30-Years-Old:
Jaimi’s family were told that she wouldn’t live to see her 30th birthday, Jett has revealed to Woman’s Day a year after his sister’s death.
“We were told she was never going to make it to 30 and she made it to 33, so she fought all the way to the end,” he said.
The Ninja Warrior has also admitted that his family has grown closer following the death of his beloved sister, whom he shares with his other sister Morgan, 29.
‘We’ve always been tight, but it has definitely brought us closer. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re getting through it,’ Jett confessed.
At the time of her death, Jett penned a loving post to his late sister on Instagram. He wrote that although he “may not have been the best brother” he knows the pair “loved one another unconditionally”.
Jaimi’s Downward Spiral After The Death of Her Boyfriend:
Just days after her death, The Daily Telegraph reported that Jaimi was “plunged… into depression” after the death of her boyfriend Lachlan Crossley in 2017.
“They had plans to be together forever,’ Lachlan’s mother Gail told the publication at the time. “People described them as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.
“Jaimi had just moved in and they were living together when Lachy passed.”
The couple reportedly met when Jaimi moved back to the Sunshine Coast after a stint living in Melbourne, where Jaimi had been looking after her paternal half-sister, Trixie. Jaimi’s dad Grant shares Trixie with Melbourne radio host Fifi Box.
While Lachlan’s cause of death hasn’t been formally announced, Jaimi was left “heartbroken and traumatised” at the loss, which saw her already difficult relationship with alcohol exacerbated.
Jaimi’s Day in Court After Being Arrested For Drink Driving:
In 2014, Jaimi made headlines after she was caught drink driving over four times the legal limit when police pulled her over for swerving between lanes.
She recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.23 per cent after drinking up to 16 bottles of Strongbow cider, Maroochydoore Magistrates Court heard at the time.
Jaimi’s lawyer told the court that she was getting help for “troubles”, including anxiety that she’d suffered from the age of 14.
Her lawyer also said that alcohol had been “a bit of a feature” in Jaimi’s lifestyle following another relationship breakdown two years earlier in 2012.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs support, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, both of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7. You can call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673. You can also speak with someone confidentially at Headspace by calling 1800 650 890 or chat online here.
If you are in need of resources to help yourself or someone you know with issues relating to alcohol use, please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800-250-015 for free and confidential advice.
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