Don Lemon’s sister, 58, dies in drowning accident

Don Lemon’s older sister, the woman he called his “partner in crime growing up,” died Wednesday in a drowning accident in Louisiana.

The CNN anchor confirmed the news with a tweet on Thursday.

“Thanks everyone for your words of sympathy. Please keep my family in your prayers. Leisa was my oldest sister & partner in crime growing up. Always had my back. #RIPbigSis.”

L’Tanya “Leisa” Lemon Grimes, 58, of Denham Springs, La., died after she fell into a pond in a subdivision around 4 p.m. Wednesday, reported the Times-Picayune in New Orleans.

She appears to have tripped and fallen into the water while fishing in the neighborhood pond, authorities said. She was not identified until the next day.

“The Lemon/Grimes family would like to thank everyone for their condolences and prayers at this time,” the family said in a statement.

“Our family has suffered the tragic loss of L’Tanya ‘Leisa’ Lemon Grimes and we are leaning on each other for strength at this time. We appreciate privacy as we grieve the loss of our loved one.”

Also on Thursday, Lemon tweeted a video of black children, dressed as CNN personalities discussing “black excellence,” that he said had lifted his spirits.

“I needed this today,” he wrote.

This story was originally published February 2, 2018 at 8:26 AM with the headline "Don Lemon’s sister, 58, dies in drowning accident."