Tragic Heroism in Yuma
On social media, Jeff Brady’s twin brother shared a heartfelt message, stating, “My brother went out on his shield and fought the flow,” referring to the brave rescue of two nephews. Jeff, 51, originally from El Cajon, had recently relocated to Yuma, Arizona, with his girlfriend, Ellen Ellis, to help care for her elderly father who is visually impaired.
The couple, along with Jeff’s brother Greg, were spending time at Horseshoe Island on the Colorado River with their 10- and 12-year-old nephews, a spot they affectionately called “Ril Slices of Paradise.” On Saturday, just before noon, the older nephew ventured into the water after being cleaned off from the sand.
Greg recounted the events on Instagram, describing how Jeff jumped in after both boys. “I was 30-40 seconds behind him, but it felt like an eternity,” he wrote. Jeff was already in the water, doing his best to keep the older boy safe while Greg swam towards them.
After Greg managed to pull the boys away, he instructed them to swim toward a nearby pontoon boat. However, when they turned back, Jeff had disappeared. “Jeff gave his life for these two boys. He’s an absolute hero,” Greg said, adding that there was no alcohol involved.
A search operation led by various law enforcement agencies soon began, and tragically, Jeff’s body was recovered around 7:20 PM the same night.
Yahoo Sports noted Jeff’s significant involvement in the MMA community, where he worked with organizations like Bellator, PFL, and Cage Warriors.
Friends of the family, Summer Needham and Craig Degraf, initiated an online fundraiser aiming for $50,000, which they reached by Tuesday morning. They expressed how Jeff’s unexpected passing left a “catastrophic emotional and financial gap,” particularly for Greg, who now shoulders the responsibilities of two households on a single income, including funeral costs.
Needham, who has known Jeff for nearly 37 years, spoke of their shared childhood memories, recalling their time together at soccer games and in weight training classes. She mentioned that despite the shocking circumstances, it wasn’t surprising to see Jeff act heroically in those final moments. “That was 100% Jeff. He was a selfless man,” she said, emphasizing his character.
Greg, although heartbroken, expressed immense pride in who Jeff was and how he will always be remembered. As friends noted, “Heaven has won the Viking Angel.” Plans for further fundraising are underway, including an event at Curbside eateries starting at 3 PM on Sunday.
