Savannah Chrisley opened up about the death of her former fiancé Nic Kerdiles on her podcast, saying that she is “grieving the loss of someone who meant the absolute world to her.”
The 26-year-old Chrisley Knows Best personality addressed the former NHL player’s death at age 29 in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 23 in Nashville on her podcast “Unlocked w/ Savannah Chrisley,” released Tuesday.
Chrisley opened the show with an on-screen graphic and a voiceover about how the episode – in which she talked about her boyfriend Robert Shiver – was filmed weeks before Kerdiles’ death.
“This episode that you’re about to hear was filmed many weeks ago and is just now airing, but it was filmed before Nic Kerdiles passed away,” Chrisley said. “In this episode I mention my current relationship.”
Chrisley said she decided not to air the podcast last week out of respect for Kerdiles, his family and “just everyone involved and everyone who is hurting by his death right now.”
The Latest: Savannah Chrisley, 26, opened up about the death of her former fiancé Nic Kerdilesat, 29, on her podcast on Tuesday, saying she’s “grieving the loss of someone who meant the absolute world to her.”
Chrisley opened the show with an on-screen graphic and a voiceover about how the episode – in which she talked about her boyfriend Robert Shiver – was filmed weeks before Kerdiles’ death
Speaking about the content of the podcast, she said: “While I’m talking about my current relationship, I’m also still grieving the loss of someone who meant the absolute world to me.”
Chrisley said off-camera that Kerdiles “had a big influence on it.” [her] life and he left such a big mark on this world.’
Chrisley continued, “I can’t tell you how many people have reached out and told me stories about how Nic has impacted their lives.”
“If his death teaches us anything, I think it’s to love, and love hard.” And to treat people with so much love and kindness, because that’s exactly what he did – so Nic, I love you, we will miss you and you have left a mark.”
Chrisley spoke out publicly for the first time following his tragic death on the day he died.
Chrisley, who appeared on the USA Network reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best, took to her Instagram Story to pay tribute to her ex-fiancé.
In her first post, she captioned a boomerang video of the couple kissing, “I’m still hoping you reply to my text…”
She then uploaded a picture of the two holding hands and smiling as they strolled along the beach in her second post and wrote: “Heaven won the most beautiful angel today… I miss you and I love you…”
Chrisley addressed the former NHL player’s death at age 29 in a Sept. 23 motorcycle accident in Nashville on her podcast, “Unlocked w/ Savannah Chrisley,” released Tuesday
The former couple was photographed in Santa Monica, California in March 2019
Chrisley said off-camera that Kerdiles “had a big influence on it.” [her] life and he left such a big mark on this world.’ Pictured in 2019
Kerdiles played a total of seven games for the Anaheim Ducks and logged 199 games in the AHL
“I’ll save our last ‘I love you’ messages forever…Please send me a sign that you’re okay…Maybe through a ham and cheese crepe…or pasta with white sauce.”…or maybe even Your favorite carrot cake.
“We loved very much…and I can’t wait to ride my bike along the beaches of heaven with you one day.”
Kerdiles ran through a stop sign in a residential area of Nashville around 3:30 a.m. and crashed into the driver’s side of a BMW, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told WRKN News 2.
Kerdiles was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died; The other driver in the accident was uninjured, police said.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the Anaheim Ducks said, “We are heartbroken to hear the news of Nic Kerdiles, who died in a motorcycle accident this morning.”
“Nic is an Irvine native and was the first player from Orange County to play for the Ducks in 2017. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”
In 2012, the Anaheim Ducks selected Kerdiles in the second round, 36th. He then attended the University of Wisconsin for two seasons and scored 26 goals and 45 assists for 71 points in 60 college games.
After those two seasons, he signed a three-year contract with the Ducks in 2014. He made his debut for Anaheim’s AHL minor league affiliate – the Norfolk Admirals – in the 2014 Calder Cup playoffs. He later played for the San Diego Gulls when they became the Ducks’ new affiliate.
After three seasons in the minors, Kerdiles made his NHL debut on February 22, 2017 against the Boston Bruins.
Kerdiles returned to the Gulls and played eight games in their short-lived Calder Cup playoff season.
But the Ducks brought him back for four exciting games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was on the ice in Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference second round against the Edmonton Oilers, a series that Anaheim would eventually win.
Savannah Chrisley has broken her silence following the tragic death of her ex-fiancée Nic Kerdiles
He died in a motorcycle accident after posting this picture to his Instagram Story on Friday
Chrisley and Kerdiles started dating in November 2017
Kerdiles proposed to Savannah on Christmas Eve 2018 after dating for over a year
Chrisley announced that the couple had separated in a September 2020 Instagram post
Kerdiles’ next two games came in the Western Conference Finals against the Nashville Predators. After recording a zero in Game 5 of that series, he scored his first and only NHL point in Game 6.
His pass behind the net to teammate Chris Wagner cut Nashville’s lead to 3-2. But Nashville would win that game, knocking out Anaheim and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.
Kerdiles returned to the NHL for two games the following season after signing a one-year extension.
Unfortunately, he failed to make enough of an impression to remain with the team and played his final game with Anaheim on October 15, 2017 against the Buffalo Sabres.
He was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on June 30, 2018. While he played three games for their AHL team – the Manitoba Moose – he never played in the NHL again.
Kerdiles finished his NHL career with seven appearances in the regular season and playoffs, managing one point.
In the AHL, he scored 47 goals and 60 assists for 107 points in 181 regular season games.
He also scored seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 18 AHL playoff games.