Todd and Julie Chrisley Break Silence on the Tragic Death of Nic Kerdiles
NASHVILLE, TN — Nearly two years after the sudden death of former NHL player Nic Kerdiles, reality TV veterans Todd and Julie Chrisley are opening up about the loss that “shattered” their family.
In a deeply emotional episode of the Chrisley Confessions 2.0 podcast aired August 20, the Chrisley Knows Best stars shared their grief for the first time since Kerdiles, 29, was killed motorcycle accident.
“I Just Wasn’t Ready”
Todd Chrisley, 56, began the episode by addressing the long silence surrounding the tragedy. Despite thousands of messages from fans, the patriarch admitted he struggled to find the words.
“I simply haven’t been ready to talk about it,” Todd confessed. “The truth is, I’m still not ready today. But out of respect for Nic and the love we have for him, I’m going to speak on this once and never again.”
Kerdiles was a fixture in the Chrisley household for years, having been engaged to Todd’s daughter, Savannah, from 2017 to 2020. Even after the couple called off their engagement, Todd maintained a father-son bond with the athlete. “I wanted them to get married. I wanted grandchildren. Even after they broke up, we texted a million times a day.”
A Heartbreaking Revelation Behind Bars
The most harrowing moment of the podcast came when Todd recounted learning of the accident while serving time in a Florida federal prison. The news was delivered during a visitation from his children—Savannah, Grayson, 19, and Chloe, 12.
- The Initial Panic: Todd recalled young Chloe running toward him in tears. “I asked, ‘What’s wrong?’ and Savannah fell into my arms and said, ‘He’s gone.’”
- The Confusion: Fearing the worst for his own son, Todd asked, “Who’s gone?” thinking of Chase Chrisley. When he heard it was Nic, he admits he “completely broke down” in the prison waiting room.
Julie Chrisley added that the reality of Nic’s absence only truly set in after the couple returned home following their presidential pardon in May. “It feels surreal to be home and not have him there,” she said. “I always believed he’d be the one to pick us up.”
Honoring a Legacy Beyond the Headlines
While the media often labeled Kerdiles as “Savannah Chrisley’s ex-fiancé,” Todd was adamant that his legacy be defined by his own merits.
“He was Nic Kerdiles, the former NHL player. He was successful. He was a kind, decent, honorable young man who just wanted to be loved.” — Todd Chrisley
Through tears, Todd expressed a haunting regret over “what could have been,” noting that both he and Savannah held onto hope that the pair would eventually reconcile.
“I feel blessed that for four and a half years, God gave us that time,” Todd concluded. “Nic Kerdiles did not leave this earth feeling that the Chrisley family did not love him.”
