Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, recently shared the heartbreaking news of his grandmother Marit Smaby-Nowlin’s death. On August 16, 2025, McCaffery posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, featuring a childhood photo with his grandmother and writing, “I’ve been trying to think of what to say and I can’t. It’s impossible to put into words how much you meant to our entire family. I refuse to say goodbye, so until we meet again ❤️❤️❤️🕊️🕊️🕊️.” Marit, aged 80, passed away on August 13, 2025, at Lake Vermilion, Minnesota, after being found unconscious in the water by family members. Despite emergency efforts, she could not be revived at Cook Hospital.
Caitlin Clark, currently recovering from a groin injury, showed her support by commenting with heart and prayer emojis, “💗💗💗💗💗💗🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻,” on McCaffery’s post. Others, including Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate Lexie Hull, also offered condolences. The couple, who have been together since April 2023 after meeting at the University of Iowa, are navigating this loss together, with McCaffery serving as an assistant coach at Butler University in Indianapolis.
Note: Some sources incorrectly reported Caitlin Clark’s death or a car accident involving her and McCaffery. These claims are false; Clark is alive and recovering from an injury, and the tragedy pertains to McCaffery’s grandmother.