The world of skydiving is mourning the heartbreaking loss of renowned instructor Devrey Jane LaRiccia-Chase, who tragically passed away following a freak accident during a routine jump. The 28-year-old daredevil was caught in a rare and dangerous weather phenomenon known as a “dust devil” while landing at Skydive Perris in California. Her husband, famous athlete and extreme sports enthusiast Freddy Chase, shared an emotional tribute on social media, expressing his profound grief. “Hey everyone… I want to thank all of you for the love I’ve received over the past few days and know I will continue to receive for days to come because of this terrible event,” he wrote.
LaRiccia-Chase had been eager to begin her work at Skydive Perris that day. It was a seemingly ordinary jump until disaster struck just moments before she landed. Chase described the terrifying incident, explaining that while she was making her final descent, she encountered multiple dust devils—small, invisible whirlwinds that pose a serious risk to skydivers. “She was about 40 feet above the ground when she avoided one dust devil, only to be caught in another,” he explained. “These can be nearly impossible to detect when moving over grass, making them extremely dangerous.” The sudden gust of wind threw her parachute into an uncontrollable spin, ultimately leading to her fatal crash. Though LaRiccia-Chase was still alive upon impact, she was unconscious and succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
In a touching tribute, Chase described his late wife as his “soul, love, and everything.” His Instagram post was filled with raw emotion, where he struggled to come to terms with his devastating loss. “You were too perfect for this world, and God just wanted to bring you home,” he wrote. “You were an angel amongst us and were called back to heaven.” Fans, friends, and fellow skydivers flooded Chase’s post with condolences, with many expressing sorrow over the sudden tragedy. After her passing, her grieving family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help bring her body back to Maine, where she was born and raised. As of Monday night, the fundraiser had surpassed $53,000 in donations. The skydiving community continues to remember LaRiccia-Chase for her passion, bravery, and infectious spirit, honoring her legacy in the sport she loved so dearly.