Influencer whose husband killed himself at $15m Hamptons home over $33m debt took TWO DAYS to make it home from Positano vacation because she wanted to wait for private jet flight

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:21, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 22:22, 2 July 2026 Lunching on yachts, smiling at swanky Hamptons parties and soaking up the summer sun in St Tropez, mommy influencer Candice Miller and her husband Brandon looked every inch the perfect couple. The real estate financier treated Candice like a real life 'princess,' but instead of castles and ballgowns, the couple had a $15 million Southampton mansion and closets filled with designer clothes. Candice highlighted their seemingly idyllic relationship on her now-deleted Mama & Tata Instagram blog, and often gushed to the press about their marriage, everything from Brandon's 'unconditional love and support' and how the pair had 'no secrets'. But now, two years after the financier died by suicide after amassing $33 million in debt, friends close to the Miller family say their fairytale life was merely a mirage. Candice, now 44, was on holiday in Positano, Italy with her daughters when Brandon was found unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning in his Porsche Carrera in the garage at their sprawling mansion. Brandon, 43, was declared brain dead on June 30, 2024 and loved ones rushed to the hospital to say their goodbyes. But doctors were forced to keep him on life support for two days while they waited for Candice to charter a private jet back to the US, a close family friend told Vanity Fair. 'She wasn't used to commercial flying,' the insider told the magazine. 'People were like, "Why the hell isn't she here?" It was unfair to keep Brandon on life support. He just needed to go.' Mommy influencer Candice Miller and her husband Brandon looked every inch the perfect couple as they posed for photos at private parties in the Hamptons But after Brandon's death, the family's sprawling mansion in the Hamptons was sold for $15million - the same amount that was owed on the mortgage The insider claimed Candice could have driven 75 minutes to the international airport in Naples on July 1 and taken a commercial flight home. Instead, she traveled more than three hours to Rome so she could fly back on a private jet sent by a friend, the source said. She arrived back in New York on July 2. Shortly after his death, Candice issued a statement to The New York Times, saying that she was 'devastated by the loss of her soul mate.' She added that the lives of the couple's two preteen daughters would be 'forever impacted by the loss of their beloved daddy.' The Miller family faced further heartbreak in the weeks that followed Brandon's death.  Candice found herself under a mountain of debt totaling more than $33.6million - a crushing burden that blindsided the influencer, who told friends she had never paid attention to her husband's business dealings or finances. Brandon had just $8,000 in the bank and had taken out a series of loans against the family's Hamptons home. The businessman left a note apologizing for his actions and lamenting a failed deal he had hoped would turn his financial situation around. Candice highlighted her seemingly idyllic life on her now-deleted Mama & Tata Instagram blog that she ran with her sister Jenna Crespi (right) Brandon's mother Barbara was also diagnosed with cancer and died in December 2024, less than six months after her son. She and Brandon were buried next to each other, but Candice did not attend their joint headstone unveiling in June last year, another insider dished to Vanity Fair. Candice did not respond to the Daily Mail Instagram message requesting comment. But last year, shortly after the intimate ceremony, a friend close to the influencer told our reporter that she had been in too much pain to attend. 'This whole ordeal is so painful to her that she's protecting her own mental health. A tombstone unveiling is not what she needs right now as she heals,' the friend told the Daily Mail last summer. 'She talks about her money woes,' the friend added. 'She is very proud, and it's embarrassing to her that her finances are so shaky. It's not her fault but she feels like it reflects on her.'  A member of Miller's family told the Daily Mail at the time that they were shocked by Candice's decision to snub the gathering. 'It was disappointing and disheartening that she didn't come to honor her former life partner, whatever her reasons were,' the relative added. 'He deserved better.'  The couple attended swanky parties on Long Island before Brandon's death Until Brandon's tragic death, Candice appeared to be living a glamorous life with her husband and their two preteen daughters.  She and her sister, Jenna Crespi, ran their luxury lifestyle blog, Mama & Tata, which chronicled their family's opulent habits to their 85,000 followers.  The blog - as well as her Instagram page - detailed Candice's designer wardrobe, shopping sprees and international travel. Much of her time was spent in the Hamptons in the company of various celebrities, including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Ivanka Trump.  But sources close to the couple have now claimed that Candice was 'insecure' and 'desperately chasing' a level of wealth that well-surpassed their financial means. The couple hosted large, 'crazy' parties at their home and in five-star hotels, with one attendee now telling Vanity Fair there 'didn't seem to be any budget for birthday and anniversary parties.' Another insider, who kept their boat at the same marina as the Millers, claimed the couple treated their yacht as a 'lunch boat.' Candice was on holiday in Positano, Italy with her daughters when Brandon was found unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning at their Hamptons home The vessel was staffed with a stewardess and a captain but only used as a place where Candice and Brandon ate midday meals. Candice has always maintained that she wasn't aware of her husband's finances or business dealings.  Reports emerged after Brandon's death though, claiming that she was made aware of the rising financial troubles before jetting off to Italy. Brandon reportedly reassured her that everything was under control and encouraged his wife to go on the vacation by insisting everything was paid for. However, she was said to have been left mortified after her credit cards were reportedly declined while over in Europe.  Brandon ensured his family would still be taken care of despite his debts, taking out life insurance policies worth $15million which were paid out after his death. It's understood shortly after his passing, Candice agreed to pay about $4million to settle a lawsuit over a loan. In all, her husband had taken out an estimated $20million in unsecured loans, The New York Times reported at the time. Candice has always maintained that she wasn't aware of her husband's finances or business dealings She sold the family's Hamptons estate and has since moved to a rented oceanfront condo in Miami.  The financial strain became so severe that she auctioned off furniture and kitchenware at steep discounts online.  Last year, she took to Instagram to announce her new career as a certified professional life coach. 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