Biden Announces Death Of Son, Beau, Of Brain Cancer
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden has announced that his son, Beau, has died of brain cancer.
The younger Biden was a lawyer, member of the Delaware National Guard and former Delaware attorney general. He was 46.
"It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life," the vice president said in a statement. "The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words."
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President Barack Obama said he and the first lady were grieving alongside the Biden family.
"Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth,'' Obama said.
New York Attorney Gen. Eric Schneiderman called Beau Biden "one of the finest public servants, and one of best colleagues with whom I have ever worked" and said he was "stunned and saddened by his passing."
"Our work to hold accountable the banks that contributed to the collapse of the American economy would have failed without Beau," Schneiderman said in a statement. "As a result of our collaboration -- which he initiated -- we have already recovered over $60 billion in relief for state and federal agencies, and for families and communities devastated by the crash of 2008 with more to come. He was a warrior in the cause of justice for working families across America."
Beau Biden was hospitalized earlier this month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the time the vice president's office declined to say why he was being treated.
Beau Biden suffered a mild stroke in 2010 and underwent surgery at a Texas cancer center in 2013 to remove what was described as a small lesion.
He announced last year that he would not seek a third term as attorney general and instead planned to run for governor in 2016.
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