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The brother of former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has died from the coronavirus

A former Democratic presidential frontrunner, Elizabeth Warren, has confirmed the coronavirus has claimed the life of her brother.

Elizabeth Warren. Picture: AFP
Elizabeth Warren. Picture: AFP

A brother of one-time leading Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren has died from the coronavirus.

Ms Warren said her brother, Donald Reed Herring, died Tuesday evening. He spent his career in the military after joining the US Air Force at the age of 19 and was “charming and funny, a natural leader”, Ms Warren tweeted.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren. Picture: AFP (D-MA) speaks during the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gailla
Former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren. Picture: AFP (D-MA) speaks during the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gailla

“I’m grateful to the nurses and frontline staff who took care of him, but it’s hard to know that there was no family to hold his hand or to say ‘I love you’ one more time – and no funeral for those of us who loved him to hold each other close. I’ll miss you dearly my brother,” she said.

The Boston Globe reported that Mr Reed, 86, died in Norman, Oklahoma, about three weeks after testing positive for the virus.

He flew B-47 and B-52 bombers for the Air Force, and flew 288 combat missions in Vietnam. He served as a B-52 squadron pilot and a squadron aircraft commander before retiring in 1973 as a lieutenant colonel.

“What made him extra special was his smile-quick and crooked, it always seemed to generate its own light, one that lit up everyone around him,” Ms Warren said.

Elizabeth Warren is still being considered as Joe Biden’s running mate. Picture: AP
Elizabeth Warren is still being considered as Joe Biden’s running mate. Picture: AP

Ms Warren, 70, was once among the frontrunners for the 2020 Democratic nomination, regarded a serious challenger to the likes of Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. She was renowned for her personal energy, often bounding out onto stage at rallies.

Her race petered out in early primary contests and she has since endorsed Mr Biden.

Originally published as The brother of former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has died from the coronavirus

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/a-brother-of-former-democratic-presidential-candidate-elizabeth-warren-has-died-from-the-coronavirus/news-story/a96f3139a918a7996187e67ed1e999d1