Keanu Reeves' Ex Jennifer Syme Died Almost Two Years after Having a Stillbirth and Splitting Up

Keanu Reeves almost became a parent years ago, but he and his girlfriend, at the time, Jennifer Syme, sadly lost the baby girl. We get to know more about Syme, the partner who had a tragic death.

Not much is known about Jennifer Syme, Keanu Reeves' late girlfriend. It's known that she once worked as an assistant to a well-known Hollywood director, and she almost became a mother to Reeves' child.

The pair dated for several years until her unexpected death after the loss of their baby girl. Losing their child to a miscarriage tore the couple apart, and they struggled to heal from it.

WHO IS JENNIFER

On December 7, 1972, Jennifer Maria Syme was born in Pico Rivera, California. She worked briefly in Hollywood, securing minor roles as an actress before meeting Reeves at a promotional party in 1998.

While at "Dogstar's" event, the pair fell in love instantly. Even though they never spoke about getting married, Reeves bought a house for them, and after being together for a year, they got pregnant.

Syme worked as director David Lynch's assistant, and reports said he even gave her a stake in his film "Lost Highway." She also had a job as a personal assistant to Dave Navarro from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

LOSING THEIR CHILD

Sadly, their happiness over the pregnancy was short-lived as they prepared to welcome their baby girl. On December 24, 1999, Syme gave birth to a stillborn, Ava Archer Syme-Reeves, at eight months.

Their loss took a toll on them, and while mourning Ava's death, their relationship couldn't survive, and they separated a few weeks later. However, reports state the pair stayed friendly and on good terms.

JENNIFER UNEXPECTED DEATH

On April 1, 2001, Reeves' ex-girlfriend was at a party at rock singer Marilyn Manson's home. According to The Sun, a guest at the party drove Syme home before dawn, and the person returned to Manson's home.

However, the following morning, Syme, 28-then, got involved in an accident when her Jeep was driven into a row of parked cars on Los Angeles' Cahuenga Boulevard. She was partially ejected from her car and died instantly.

HOW SYME DIED

An investigation into her death discovered that the former actress had not been wearing a seatbelt and was intoxicated when the accident happened. Reeves reportedly called the Coroner's office to verify Syme's death.

The Things also reported that Reeves had seen Syme the day before she died. Apparently, the former lovers met up for brunch in a get-together which would be the last time Reeves saw Syme.

Manson revealed that he'd arranged for Syme to arrive at her house safely at dawn. Police found a white powdery substance, two rolled-up dollar bills, and two different anti-depressant drugs inside her Jeep.

It's believed that the anti-depressants were prescribed to the actress after she lost her child. According to Profvalue, Syme had a muscle relaxant and an anticonvulsant in her vehicle.

The actress' mother told police that Syme had sought treatment for spine pain and sadness a few days before her death. She was buried next to their daughter in Los Angeles' Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

SPEAKING ABOUT GRIEF

In a 2019 interview with The Irish Times about his movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum," Reeves spoke about his relation to his character's grief. Without being specific, he said loss and grief never go away.

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MANSON

After Syme died, her mother, Maria St. John, filed a wrongful death suit in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2002. She accused Manson of supplying Syme with cocaine and encouraging her to drive while inebriated.

The lawsuit failed, with Manson claiming he became aware of Syme's condition before she left his home; that's why he got her a designated driver. The rock star said he felt pain over losing Syme.

KEANU'S CURRENT GIRLFRIEND

Despite the loss of Syme, Reeves seems to be moving on with his life. According to Hollywood Life, the "Matrix" star met Alexandra Grant, an artist, at a 2009 dinner party before they became friends.

In 2011, the pair collaborated on a book titled "The Ode To Happiness," which featured the actor's poems and Grant's drawings. The artist also did the illustrations for Reeves's 2015 poetry book, "Shadows."

In 2017, the duo co-founded a publishing company called X Artists Books. It wasn't clear when Grant and Reeves started dating, but in May 2019, the pair were seen together at the MOCA Benefit in Los Angeles.

In November 2019, Reeves and Grant made their official red carpet debut at the LACMA Art Film Gala. They walked the red carpet together, and in February 2020, the artist visited Reeves while filming "Matrix 4."