Isaiah Washington is opening up about a loss he’s carried quietly for more than a year. The actor, best known as Dr. Preston Burke on Grey’s Anatomy, announced Friday that his wife of nearly 30 years, Jenisa Marie Garland, died on June 9, 2025, nine days after collapsing from a massive hemorrhagic stroke on May 31. He explained that he kept her death private because Garland was an extremely private person, and he wanted to honor that.
The two met at a dinner party in Los Angeles and married on Valentine’s Day 1996. Together they raised three children, Tyme, Iman, and Isaiah V., and launched a clothing company called SOLD Apparel. In his Instagram post, Washington called the loss a huge shock to the family, writing that“some headaches are not just headaches or migraines”and urging people not to dismiss unusual or persistent symptoms.
That warning is the heart of why this story is resonating so widely right now. Stroke symptoms can be subtle, and time matters enormously when one happens. Knowing the signs and acting fast can make all the difference. Have you ever ignored a headache you probably shouldn’t have?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.