Sophia Hutchins, the longtime friend and manager of Caitlyn Jenner, tragically died at the age of 29 in a devastating ATV accident near Jenner's Malibu home on the morning of July 2, 2025. According to multiple reports, Hutchins was riding an all-terrain vehicle on a road close to Jenner’s $3.5 million Malibu condominium when she collided with the rear bumper of a moving car. The impact sent her and the ATV careening off the road and plunging down a 350-foot ravine.
Emergency responders arrived promptly but pronounced Hutchins dead at the scene. Remarkably, no one else was injured in the crash, including the occupants of the car she struck. It remains unclear whether Jenner, 75, was present at her home during the accident or if she witnessed the tragic event. As of now, Jenner has not publicly addressed Hutchins’ death.
The two first met in 2015 through their hairstylists shortly after Jenner publicly announced her gender transition. Hutchins, who was also a transgender woman, credited Jenner’s coming-out story as a pivotal inspiration for her own transition. She appeared in several episodes of Jenner’s E! reality docuseries, I Am Cait, which chronicled Jenner’s life following her transition.
Born on April 1, 1996, in Bellevue, Washington, Hutchins graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019 with a degree in economics and finance. During her junior year, she resigned as president of the Class of 2018 to fully commit to her gender transition, inspired in part by Jenner’s candid interview on 20/20. After graduation, she founded Lumasol, a sunscreen mist company, where she served as CEO. Hutchins also served as CEO and director of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ individuals.
In 2017, Hutchins moved into Jenner’s Malibu home and took over managing Jenner’s career, overseeing her business ventures and public engagements. Hutchins explained in a 2019 New York Times interview that she stepped in because Jenner lacked management at a vulnerable time and was being taken advantage of financially. “I saw nobody was managing her, and there were all these people taking massive advantage,” Hutchins said. “I was saying: ‘Caitlyn, if I don’t step in here and start managing you, you’re going to go broke.’”
Their close relationship was often described as familial and parental. Hutchins once said, “Caitlyn is a parent to me. I have said that a million times. It is a parental, familial relationship.” Despite persistent rumors, both women denied any romantic involvement. Hutchins firmly stated in 2018, “It was never romantic. Never sexual. It was very much friends but I understand why people perceived it that way.” She reiterated in 2021, “There’s no hanky panky. I feel like I’ve been saying that for the past five years.”
Hutchins maintained a good rapport with Jenner’s ex-wife Kris Jenner and Jenner’s daughters Kendall and Kylie. She also appeared in an ad campaign for SKIMS, the shapewear brand run by Jenner’s stepdaughter, Kim Kardashian, further cementing her place within the Kardashian-Jenner family circle.
Beyond her management role, Hutchins was politically active, serving as a surrogate for President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. She made several television appearances supporting the former president and was photographed with him during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in February 2024. Hutchins attended the election night watch party at Mar-a-Lago on November 5, 2024, and in January 2025, she and Jenner were seen at the Starlight Ball, part of Trump’s inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.
Reflecting on her journey, Hutchins once shared a life lesson on Medium, saying, “Don’t be afraid of the word no. Successful people, entrepreneurs, and women more than anyone else are told no all the time. If we allowed ‘no’ to deter us we wouldn’t be where we are today.” She expressed a commitment to growth and surrounding herself with positive influences who believed in her vision.
Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment and LGBTQ communities, as well as the political circles where she was active. Hutchins was known for her business acumen, advocacy work, and close personal bond with Jenner, who she supported through some of the most public moments of her life.
As the investigation into the fatal crash continues, fans and friends alike mourn the loss of a young woman who left a significant mark on those around her. The ATV involved in the accident remains at the bottom of the ravine near Jenner’s Malibu estate, a somber reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.
While Jenner has yet to comment publicly, the impact of Hutchins’ death is undeniable. Their story, rooted in friendship, transition, and mutual support, highlights the complexities and challenges faced by transgender individuals in the public eye. Hutchins’ legacy as a businesswoman, advocate, and loyal friend will be remembered by many.
