Shaquille O’Neal pays costs for family who lost four daughters in heartbreaking North Carolina fire accident

A North Carolina family reeling from unimaginable tragedy is finding unexpected support from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The Ellis family of Chadbourn lost four young daughters in a devastating house fire on August 30, and O’Neal has stepped in to cover the funeral expenses in partnership with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

The gesture comes as the community continues to grieve the loss of four lives cut short far too soon.

Shaquille O’Neal steps in to ease the Ellis family’s burden

The fire claimed the lives of Kalani Rae, Kendall Xaiya, Josephina Renee, and Sophia Nachelle, ages 2 through 7. Their father, Patrick Ellis, and eldest daughter Willow, 11, managed to escape. In the aftermath, O’Neal, who serves as the director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, reached out to Sheriff Reginald Scandrett to offer help."It touches every one of us parents, neighbors and human beings," O’Neal said (via Fox 5). "These were innocent lives full of promise, taken far too soon…this was not just a gesture of support, it was a moral responsibility." He added that he wanted the family to know they "are not alone" and promised, "What I can offer is love, support, and a promise that their lives will not be forgotten."Sheriff Scandrett also commented on the tragedy. "It’s tragic beyond belief.

Particularly being a father of two girls and two boys, this is unconscionable," he said. Together with O’Neal, his office coordinated donations with other law enforcement agencies in Georgia and Florida, ensuring all funeral expenses were covered.

Community extends support amid father’s grief

Patrick Ellis described his heartbreak in a statement to local media, saying his heart was “shattered beyond words.” He remembered his daughters as his “joy, light, and purpose,” adding, “Our family has been overwhelmed by the love, prayers, and support from this community during the hardest time of our lives.

We ask you to join us in celebrating their laughter, their innocence, and the precious memories they leave behind” (via WECT).The memorial service for the sisters is scheduled for September 13, with representatives from O’Neal and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office attending. For O’Neal, who recently helped a young wrestler with transportation needs, the NBA legend and Hall of Famer is motivated to help out people in need. As he told PEOPLE, "People call it giving back. I just call it doing the right thing." O’Neal certainly proved that he has a big heart.Also Read: Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly undergoes thumb surgery, expected to miss start of 2025-26 season