It's been a deeply emotional journey for Good Bones star Mina Starsiak Hawk as she continues to navigate life after the tragic loss of her sister-in-law, Stefanie Hawk. Mina's heartfelt reflections on processing grief years after the event have resonated with fans tuning in to HGTV. Recently, during an episode of the “Mina AF” podcast, she candidly shared her story, offering a glimpse into the challenges and heartbreak her family faced.
Who Was Stefanie Hawk?
Stefanie Hawk was more than just a sister-in-law to Mina—she was a cherished family member who endured her own share of struggles. Stefanie was the sibling of Mina’s husband, Steve Hawk. Their family history was marked by hardship, particularly when Steve was in his early twenties. At that time, his parents were battling alcoholism, a battle that deeply affected their family dynamics.
Steve recounted the difficulties, saying, "With them, it just got so bad at one point there was homelessness, multiple interventions, in and out of hospitals for my mom." This struggle led to a pivotal decision. When Stefanie was just 14 years old, Steve took her in to provide stability and support. Eventually, after their parents made strides toward recovery, Stefanie returned to live with them. However, tragedy struck again in 2018 when the siblings lost their mother, Sally Hawk, to stomach cancer. Just six months later, their father, Richard Hawk, tragically passed away after falling down the stairs.
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Amidst these losses, Stefanie began working for Mina. It was during this time that Mina and Steve noticed subtle yet significant changes in her behavior. “She started to have a pattern of behavior where every Monday and Tuesday she didn’t feel good, she wasn’t coming in, she was isolating, she wouldn’t let anyone into her house, she wouldn’t come to anything,” Steve explained. This isolating behavior had been present for a while but had intensified, signaling deeper issues at play.
What Happened to Stefanie Hawk?
On March 27, 2020, Mina delivered the devastating news to her followers on Instagram. With a heavy heart, she wrote, “There’s no easy way to share this. Yesterday we unexpectedly lost my sister, Stefanie Hawk.” Mina expressed the weight of the loss, acknowledging the difficulty of navigating such a tragedy during a time when access to loved ones and friends was limited due to the pandemic. “She was such a bright light in all of our lives for such a long time. There is nothing to say that makes it easier or better,” she poignantly added.
Following Stefanie’s passing, Mina and Steve opened up about her cause of death, which was ethanol poisoning. Recalling the somber moment when they entered Stefanie’s home after her death, Mina shared, “There were so many bottles. Just seeing how the last however long of her life had been was so incredibly sad. And then the guilt with not being able to do something about it, like, ‘Well we should’ve gone to her house sooner. We should have made her go to rehab. We should’ve made her move in with us.’ But nobody knew.”
This tragedy became a turning point for Mina and Steve. They both decided to make significant lifestyle changes, choosing to stop drinking alcohol. Steve has maintained sobriety for over two years, while Mina has only indulged in a few drinks during that time. A few months after Stefanie’s passing, the couple welcomed their daughter, Charlotte, adding a new chapter to their lives. Together, they are also raising their eldest child, son Jack.
Reflecting on Stefanie’s legacy, Mina shared a poignant moment in a January 2021 Instagram post. “Every time I look at [Charlotte], I see Stef, for better or for worse,” she wrote. “Some days it makes me cry and some days it’s the bright light in a really s–tty moment. Stef’s gone, but I see her every day … and for that, I am so grateful.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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