Fire that killed former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh happened at home of Las Vegas musician: report
The Connecticut home where a massive fire led to the death of former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh last month was a recent gift to his rumored girlfriend and longtime business associate, who also happens to be a well-known Las Vegas musician, according to multiple reports.
The 46-year-old entrepreneur bought the New London home just four months ago for Rachael Brown, sources told local news station Fox 61. The woman is a high-ranking executive at the online shoe retailer as well as a prominent cellist who plays with Nina Di Gregorio’s Bella Electric Strings ensemble and David Perrico’s Pop Strings orchestra, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported this week.
Hsieh, who joined Zappos in 1999 when it was still called ShoeSite.com, died Friday from injuries sustained in a fire earlier in November.
The blaze happened around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 18 and appears to have started in the basement of the home. When first responders arrived at the scene, Hsieh was reportedly trapped inside and firefighters had to force their way in to rescue him.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Hsieh’s death has been ruled an accident. Medical examiners said Monday that he died from complications of smoke inhalation, according to the Hartford Courant.
The Harvard graduate retired from Zappos this year after two decades with the company. The retailer was sold to Amazon in 2009, but Hsieh remained as CEO throughout his tenure.
Brown had been with the company since 2004 and shared another home with Hsieh in Park City, Utah, the Review-Journal reported.
Hsieh’s tragic death was met with shock across the country.
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“I am stunned,” former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said on Twitter. “Tony Hsieh touched so many lives and inspired so many entrepreneurs. His impact and legacy will go on and on. I met his family in Las Vegas — and am thinking of them today. RIP Tony. You will be missed.”
“Tony Hsieh played a pivotal role in helping transform Downtown Las Vegas,” Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak tweeted. “Kathy and I send our love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
