Elizabeth Warren’s Oldest Brother Dies from Coronavirus

Senator Elizabeth Warren’s oldest brother has died from Covid-19. The Massachusetts Democrat issued a heartfelt tribute to her brother, Don Reed, on Twitter on Thursday. She becomes the first national politician to lose a relative to the virus.

“My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening,” Warren tweeted. “He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader.”

My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening. He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader. https://t.co/b8m0xKzAmM

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 23, 2020

“What made him extra special was his smile—quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him,” she said.

The Senator took the opportunity to thank the healthcare workers who’d been involved in Reed’s care.

“I’m grateful to the nurses and frontline staff who took care of him, but it’s hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say ‘I love you’ one more time—and no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close,” Warren said.

“I’ll miss you dearly my brother.”