Caitlyn Jenner Publicly Mourns Sophia Hutchins After Tragic ATV Accident
Malibu, CA – August 30, 2025, Caitlyn Jenner, the 75-year-old Olympic gold medalist and reality TV star, has publicly shared her profound grief over the tragic death of her longtime friend and manager, Sophia Hutchins, who died at 29 in a devastating ATV accident on July 2, 2025, near Jenner’s Malibu home. During an emotional appearance on Fox News At Night on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Jenner broke down in tears, revealing the depth of her loss and comparing it to the grief of parents who lost children in a recent school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Just recently my good friend Sophia passed away in a tragic accident,” Jenner said, her voice trembling. “For the last seven weeks, I’ve been dealing with death, and it’s so difficult.”
Hutchins, a transgender businesswoman and founder of the sunscreen company Lumasol, was riding a 2013 Polaris ATV on Decker Canyon Road near Jenner’s $3.5 million Malibu residence when she collided with the rear bumper of a 2016 Mazda 6. The impact caused the ATV to veer off the road, plummeting 350 feet into a ravine. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Hutchins died from multiple blunt force injuries, ruling the death accidental. Authorities, including Sergeant Eduardo Saucedo of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, suggested Hutchins may have been speeding, noting she attempted to maneuver around the vehicle but clipped its bumper, leading to the fatal crash. The two passengers in the Mazda were unharmed, and a toxicology report is pending to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Jenner and Hutchins shared a deep bond since meeting in 2015, shortly after Jenner’s public transition as a transgender woman. Hutchins, who cited Jenner as an inspiration for her own transition in 2016 while at Pepperdine University, became Jenner’s manager in 2017, replacing Kris Jenner after their 2015 divorce. She also served as CEO and director of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation, advocating for transgender equality. Their relationship, often described as familial, was marked by mutual support, with Hutchins calling Jenner a “parent” and Jenner praising her as a “best friend, family, and confidant” with “undeniable value” in a 2019 New York Times interview. Despite tabloid rumors of a romantic link, both consistently denied such claims, emphasizing their professional and personal partnership.
The loss has left Jenner “numb with shock,” according to sources, and she has been seen spending time with Hutchins’ mother, offering her a place to stay in Los Angeles. Social media has become a virtual memorial, with X users expressing condolences: “That’s heartbreaking news. Sophia Hutchins was a vibrant presence, and her tragic loss at just 29 in such a horrific ATV accident is devastating,” one user wrote. Another added, “My condolences to Sophia’s family and friends. 29 is just too young to pass away.”
Hutchins’ death has also sparked discussions about ATV safety, with Reddit users highlighting the dangers of such vehicles, noting their high risk of fatal accidents, particularly in rural areas. As Jenner navigates this profound loss, her public mourning underscores the significant impact Hutchins had on her life and the broader transgender and entertainment communities.
Sources: TMZ, People, Daily Mail, Fox News, Reddit, X posts