Kristin Cavallari is grieving the loss of her brother Michael Cavallari after he was found dead in the desert nearly two weeks after his car was found abandoned in Utah.
“We have just been informed by the authorities my brother’s body has been found,” Kristin Cavallari confirmed in a statement obtained by a number of outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. “This is a very painful time and we are still processing it all. We kindly ask everyone please respect our privacy during our time of grieving.”
Later, the 28-year-old reality TV veteran and fashion designer posted a throwback shot of herself and her brother.
“My heart is in a million pieces,” Kristin Cavallari wrote. “Mikey, I could always count on you to make me laugh. You had such a good heart and will be forever missed. I’m at a loss for words but I know u are in a better place and finally at peace. I love u so much RIP.”
In her statement, Kristin, who recently welcomed her third child with husband Jay Cutler, thanked “everyone for their love, support and prayers during this very difficult time.”
A body believed to be that of Michael Cavallari was found Thursday morning and was transported to the medical examiner for identification and an autopsy, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Kristin Cavallari's brother Michael is found dead three days after being reported missing: https://t.co/gdBVbO7FDu pic.twitter.com/cFvdEGcwUS
— E! Online (@eonline) December 10, 2015
The body was found in “a steep and very rocky area” in the Salt Wash area, authorities said.
Michael Cavallari was last seen in Southern California on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, according to Grand County Sheriff Steve White.
The 30-year-old has had a troubled past, including several run-ins with the law. He was most recently arrested in Orange County on Nov. 23 on suspicion of making criminal threats against a woman who knew him, the Associated Press reported. Orange County sheriff’s records show he was bailed out of jail in the wee hours on Nov. 25.
Cavallari “was always a troubled kid and there was always drama with him,” a source told People magazine on Monday. His sister “was always trying to help him. He had been trying to produce reality shows a while ago, but it didn’t work out.”