Rachel Minaya’s youngest son, Teddy, said his mother’s shocking death over the weekend has left a huge hole in the family.
“That’s all I can say.” “I’m so glad I got the chance to be a part of it,” Teddy told the Daily Mail outside his New Jersey home.“We love her and we will miss her. We will miss her, but … she will be with us in our hearts.”
He added: “But for now, we’re just taking it easy and we ask that people respect our privacy.”
The wife of Yankees senior advisor for baseball operations and former Mets general manager Omar Minaya, Rachel, was found dead at her Harrington, New Jersey, home on Saturday.
Omar and Rachel had two sons, Trail Blazers forward Justin and Teddy, but longtime business owner Omar was not present at his wife’s death.
Police found Rachel, 55, unconscious at Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, New Jersey, and attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead.
Teddy told the Daily Mail that the family were “devastated” to learn of Rachel’s death, and that he and Justin had returned home to be with his father.
Harrington Park Police Chief Robert Murphy did not rule out the possibility of suicide, saying “it’s still open” and “nothing has been ruled out.”
“While the circumstances do not appear to be suspicious, a determination of the cause and manner of death is pending,” Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella’s office said in a press release. “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be released.”
The Yankees held a moment of silence for Rachel before their 9-1 win over the Rays on Thursday.
“The Yankees are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Rachel Minaya, wife of Yankees senior advisor for baseball operations Omar Minaya,” the team said in a statement. “To those closest to her, she was a loving and caring mother and wife and a tremendous support for her family and loved ones.
“Omar became a beloved member of the Yankees organization in a very short time and always demonstrated a unique ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Throughout his illustrious baseball career, he generously gave of his kindness and friendship to others. We offer our deepest condolences to Omar, his sons Justin and Teddy, and their family and friends during this unthinkable time. His family was an extension of our baseball family and this is a loss that we all feel deeply.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team was “heartbroken” to hear the tragic news.
“It’s very tough,” Boone said Monday. “My heart goes out to O. and his family and this situation. I don’t want to get too deep into it because I haven’t spoken to O. yet.”
