Danis Baird, the wife of Indiana Representative Jim Baird, passed away early Sunday morning due to “complications” from over a dozen broken bones suffered in a hit-and-run accident earlier in January.
On January 5, amid a setback for House Republicans, President Trump revealed he had been in a “pretty bad” car accident while returning to Washington, D.C. Initially, both Jim and Danis were expected to be “okay.”
The death of Ms. Baird was confirmed by her husband’s office in a deeply emotional statement released on Sunday morning.
“Senator Baird and Danis shared 59 years of marriage, building a life grounded in faith, family, and service. She was not only a loving wife but also a devoted mother to three children, serving as the backbone of their family. Her absence will be profoundly felt. We kindly ask everyone to keep the Congresswoman and her family in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time,” the statement said.
The couple, who had been “high school sweethearts,” had three children together, as mentioned in a biography on the Republican Congressional Office’s website.
Following the serious accident, both were hospitalized. Baird, 80, left the hospital on January 6, although he had to wear a neck brace for weeks afterward. Danis, dealing with 15 fractures, was discharged on January 12, as confirmed by their son Beau on social media.
Beau had previously mentioned in a post that Danis had made some progress in her recovery, stating that she had “taken his first steps of support” since the accident. They were aware the road ahead would be lengthy.
Beau characterized Danis as “a very private person,” noting that updates were mostly shared regarding her father, emphasizing the lengthy nature of recovery.
On Sunday, Beau posted about the time and date of Danis’s passing before it was formally acknowledged by her father.
Many in the political sphere sent heartfelt prayers for the Baird family. Representative Elise Stefanik from New York commented, “Jim’s wife Danis often accompanied him while he diligently served his constituents in Congress. They are down-to-earth people who have sacrificed a lot for our country.”
Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon expressed his condolences, saying, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Jim and his family. Their 59 years of marriage are commendable, and we will continue to keep them in our thoughts.”
Indiana State Representative Jake Teshka also encouraged prayers for the entire family, wishing them peace in the days to come.
