What Happened to ‘The Challenge’ Star Derek Chavez’s Sister? What He’s Said About Her Death by Suicide

Derek Chavez has been open about the death of his younger sister, BreAna Chavez, during his time on The Challenge. The Real World alum returned to the franchise in 2021 after nearly 10 years away from competing and has looked to his late sister as his inspiration.

What Happened to The Challenge’s Derek Chavez’s Sister?

Derek’s sister BreAna died on July 20, 2021. He learned of her death right before he left to film season 2 of The Challenge: All Stars.

“We left on Wednesday. I saw my sister on Monday,” he said on the “Official Challenge Podcast” in November 2021. “She was supposed to come over – we bought a bottle of champagne and we were supposed to toast before I left. She was like, ‘I can’t wait to see you Wednesday.’ She didn’t let me know that anything was going on with her. She made it seem as if everything was 100 percent OK.”

Derek first shared news of BreAna’s death via Instagram on August 1, 2021. “Part of my heart broke off and joined my dad in Heaven,” he wrote. “BreAna, I love you so much and I’m going to miss our sissy parties. I know you’ll always be around me and be my guardian angel. RIP my baby girl.”

Season 2 of The Challenge: All Stars documented Derek’s grief. He initially did not tell any of his castmates about his family tragedy before filming started. However, he eventually opened up to Jonna Mannion and Jasmine Reynaud, who were on his season of The Real World: Cancun.

“Sometimes you choose your family and I am happy I had my family with me thru this tragedy. @jonnamannion knew Bre, as did @jazmtv and the comfort they provided helped me so much they don’t even know,” Derek wrote on Instagram after the episode about BreAna’s death aired. “I was so heartbroken and didn’t tell them until the night after I got voted in. It was a punch to to gut that all that waiting might have been for nothing cuz I might be going home.. But I love you girls and thank you for loving me.”

Derek ended up losing in an elimination to Nehemiah Clark and admitted on the “Official Challenge Podcast” that he threw the challenge because he had gotten a phone call from his brother right before and found out that the family was planning a memorial for BreAna back home.

How Did The Challenge’s Derek Chavez’s Sister Die?

BreAna died by suicide. Since her death, Derek has become an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.

On the two-year anniversary of BreAna’s death in 2024, he wrote on Instagram, “I can not believe 2 years has gone by, and you’re not here. I miss you soo much, Bre. I’ll always love you, and you’re always in my heart and on my mind. It hasnt gotten any easier without you, but at least this year, I get to visit you and be with family to remember you. I hope you’re at peace. I know you’re watching over us. RIP you, beautiful angel. We love you and miss you. If you or anyone else is dealing with suicidal thoughts or just needs to talk to someone, dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.”

In another post, he shared, “I know that this story needed to be told just in case there’s anybody out there that feels the same way my sister may have felt at the time. I want you guys to know that you’re never alone. I hope that if you feel that you are, that you speak out with somebody because it’ll get better if you do.”

Derek and his family had a funeral for BreAna at the end of September 2021.

How Old Was The Challenge’s Derek Chavez’s Sister When She Died?

BreAna was just 25 years old at the time of her death, according to her obituary. She was seemingly engaged to be married when she died, as Derek mentioned her fiancé in an Instagram post about her funeral.

“Her fiance Jove and all her friends, @savannahmcoats @daisy. Gabby.. Thank you for capturing her on that DVD and getting her art to us. It was beautiful and showed everyone how amazing she was,” he wrote.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).