The sister-in-law of three-time Olympic gold medal-winning water polo star Maggie Steffens has died unexpectedly at the Paris Games.
Team USA coach Adam Krikorian announced the death of 26-year-old Lulu Conner after Steffens and Team USA defeated Greece in the opening match of the Olympics on Saturday. Details about Conner’s death have not been released publicly and reports that she died of a stroke are unconfirmed.
She is the younger sister of Bobby Conner, who married Steffens in the fall of 2023.
“It’s been a shock for everyone,” Krikorian said Saturday, as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. “I don’t know the circumstances, but it’s a devastating time for Bobby and his family and for Maggie.”
Steffens was seen throwing flowers into the Seine from the Team USA boat during the opening ceremony on Friday night. At the time, the NBC broadcast noted that her husband’s family had lost a family member, though no further details were mentioned at the time.
U.S. coach Adam Krikorian revealed the death of 26-year-old Lulu Conner (pictured) after Steffens and Team USA defeated Greece in the opening game of the Olympics on Saturday.
Maggie Steffens (pictured) recently tied the knot with Conner’s brother Bobby in the fall of 2023.
Lulu Conner (pictured) attended the University of California, Davis.
“From what I understand, Lulu was full of energy and very excited to be here and watch this team,” Krikorian said. “We can honor her by playing with energy.”
“You’re never prepared for something like this,” Krikorian continued. “Maggie knows my pain and grief; I’ve shared it with her. The pain and shock are the things that stay with me the most.”
Lulu attended the couple’s wedding in November in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“I’m thankful to have had the happiest week celebrating these two salsa dancing lovebirds!” she wrote in an Instagram post after the ceremony. “I couldn’t ask for a better brother or a cooler new sister.”
Team USA defeated Greece 15-6 on Saturday.
In addition to Lulu’s passing, the team is also affected by the ongoing battle with cancer of Tokyo Games MVP Maddie Musselman’s husband, Pat Woepse.
“This was my biggest goal since everything was so unknown,” Woepse told The Associated Press of attending the 2024 Paris Games after Saturday’s 16-5 win over Greece. “It was a very emotional day for me. I couldn’t be more excited to be here to support Maddie and the team.”