F1 legend Jody Scheckter and family rocked by tragic death of daughter
 |
| Jody Scheckter (R) and daughter Ila |
1979 F1 world champion Jody Scheckter has revealed he is “utterly heartbroken and totally devastated" by the passing of his daughter.
Ila Scheckter, the second youngest of six children, had just begun reading Psychology for Counseling at the University of Westminster. But the 21-year-old died of a “suspected accidental overdose" in her sleep on Thursday night.
Her family announce she passed away a day before she was due to start treatment for her drug use.
A statement released to the Daily Mail read: “The Scheckter family are utterly heartbroken and totally devastated to announce the passing of Ila.
“Ila had been diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago totally out of the blue and subsequently underwent major brain surgery.
“In recent months, she had developed epilepsy which resulted in her having extreme anxiety and fear of seizures.
“She lost her battle with addiction in trying to numb the fear and feelings that overwhelmed her.