SAS Australia: Jett Kenny opens up about death of sister, Jaimi

Jett Kenny has opened up about a conversation he had with his sister, Jaimi, before she died last year following a lengthy health battle.

Jett Kenny has opened up about the death of his sister, Jaimi, in emotional scenes on SAS Australia.

And he drew praise for his “courage” from his mother Lisa Curry after the program aired, who told him: “You know Jaimi would be so proud of you.”

As part of a confronting challenge on Tuesday night’s episode, the recruits had to stand in front of their fellow contestants and talk about something they’re most ashamed of.

The 27-year-old ironman told the group he “never fully understood” Jaimi’s health battles with alcohol and an eating disorder, claimed her life in September last year aged just 33.

Jett said his sister had battled with mental health problems for 15 years prior to her death, and at one stage, he attempted to have a heart-to-heart with her about it.

“For me it was kind of just, ‘Why are you doing this to yourself?’ And never fully understood it,” Jett said.

“There was one thing I said at her funeral. I’m not gonna say it because it was very personal but I remember saying it to her the night that she asked me … this question, and I gave her the honest truth. And I was hoping that was the harsh reality that she needed – hearing it from her younger brother.

“But she’s gone now. I kind of regret not being there for her more.”

Jett Kenny opened up about the death of his sister on Tuesday night's episode of SAS Australia. Picture: Channel 7

Speaking in a piece-to-camera interview afterwards, Jett said his family, including famous Olympian parents Grant Kenny and Lisa Curry, did everything they could to support Jaimi through her struggles.

“We did everything we could as a family and for Jaimi to try bring her out of it but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. She got told she wasn’t gonna make it to 30. She got to 33,” he said.

“To me, it was like, you have the willpower to change your life and turn things around. But that’s me. I can’t speak for someone who’s going through mental health issues because I’ve never been there.”

Jett Kenny with his sister Jaimi.

Jett added: “Everyone has to do the best they can for the people that they love, but when you can’t it makes you question yourself. Like, ‘Was I a good enough brother?’”

As he sat back down, Jett was comforted by his fellow recruits where he began to shed a tear.

“It takes a lot to get me to cry, but I cried at Jaimi’s funeral, and the night she passed away,” he added.

“It’s my older sister. Of course I’m going to miss her.”

Jett said it “takes a lot to get me to cry”. Picture: Channel 7

Jett was interrogated one-on-one toward the end of the episode, where he recalled his final goodbye with Jaimi.

“I remember with my sister passing in September we were all sitting around the hospital bed with her, saying our last goodbyes. And I just remember seeing them (his parents) sitting there, holding her hand, just being, like, ‘What more could we have done?’.

“Mum said it perfectly, she was fighting a demon in her head. And unfortunately the demons got her in the end. She’d beat some away and then more would come back.

“It was good in a way because it was almost like her suffering was over. So she battled on for another eight and a half, nine hours from when I last saw her to when they took the life support off.

“And that’s what she was, she was a fighter. From day one until the very end.”

Jett’s mother Lisa posted a heartfelt message to her Instagram account after the episode aired, addressed directly to her son.

“Jett, you have given us so many reasons to be proud of the young man you have become, for all the things you do, the kind, humble , funny, caring person you are known for - this is why people love you and this is why for dad and I, our proudest moments are when we can tell people that you’re our son,” she wrote.

“I know it took a lot of courage to say what you did and we all know how hard it is to say the words out loud, but you know that Jaimi would be so proud of you - she always was, and she loved you so much, always her little brother. Stay strong my beautiful boy.”

SAS Australia airs Monday to Wednesday on Channel 7 at 7.30pm

Originally published as SAS Australia: Jett Kenny opens up about death of sister, Jaimi