Realtor Chappy Adams Killed in Early AM Car Crash

Posted by Jose Lambiet , January 10, 2013 Print

Chappy Adams (left) with dad Bud Adams, founder of Illustrated Properties (Courtesy Illustrated Properties)

Gossip Extra has learned that high-profile Realtor Chappy Adams died in the car crash that shut down PGA Boulevard early today in Palm Beach Gardens, according to several real estate sources.

Adams, 48, whose real name was Francis, was the father of a little girl.

The death rocked the real estate world this morning.

While at-times troubled, Adams was well-liked as president of the mega real estate company Illustrated Properties.

The company was started by his dad, Bud Adams. But under Chappy, it grew to one of the largest firms in the state — even when the real estate bubble burst!

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According to preliminary information from FHP, Chappy exited I-95 at PGA Boulevard about 4 a.m. but somehow ended up down the grassy area of the ramp.

His silver Mercedes then went airborne on a concrete berm, said FHP Spokesman Lt. Tim Frith, and into a tree. Adams owned a property a few miles east from the site of the wreck, in North Palm Beach.

– UPDATE: We lost our beloved Chappy!

Frith said there was no alcohol in the car and rescuers didn’t smell liquor on Adams. Still, an autopsy and toxicology report was ordered.

“The victim was not wearing a seat belt,” Frith said.

– UPDATE: Chappy Adams Led a Gilded, Troubled Life

According to his biography on the Illustrated website, Chappy graduated from the Benjamin School then Boston College in 1987.

He officially joined Illustrated Properties upon graduation, and started as a commercial leasing agent.

– UPDATE: Funeral arrangements for Chappy Adams

During his seven years in residential sales, he sold dozens of multi-million homes then moved to management.

Chappy oversaw Illustrated’s 20 offices statewide and 550 agents.

Several friends of the Realtor’s asked for time before they commented.

Featured Palm Beach car accident, Chappy Adams, dead, death, Florida, Francis Adams, Gossip Extra, Illustrated Properties, Jose Lambiet, Mercedes, Palm Beach Gardens, PGA Boulevard, real estate, realtors, tree

« Previous

Maggie, 4 months ago Reply

So young
13634rhonecircle.com | High-profile South Florida Realtor killed in car crash, 4 months ago Reply

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Sad, 4 months ago Reply

I knew this guy as an aquaintance. Really sad especially considering all the personal challenges he’s faced. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Toni Anderson, 4 months ago Reply

Very sad, hope he wasn’t on his cell phone.
- Michelle, 4 months ago Reply
  
  REALLY? At 4 in the morning?
npgator, 4 months ago Reply

He was a good guy – very sad story!
Jon smith, 4 months ago Reply

45-ish years old… Booze may not have been a factor, but drugs most certainly were… Up that early on the way home, he wasn’t getting milk! Sad end.
- Jose Lambiet, 4 months ago Reply
  
  Guys, keep it clean. there’s toxicology studies underway. It’ll take six weeks for results. Let’s reserve judgment until then.
  - love you Jose, 4 months ago Reply
    
    Very classy reply Jose. That’s why I love you!!! No matter what happened, a life was cut short and people need to remember that there, but for fortune, go you or I.
  - tim murphy, 4 months ago Reply
    
    better yet Lambiet, why don’t you step it up a notch and not reserve judgement who are we to judge?
    Here is a fresh concept for the media representatives……..COMPASSION !!!!
    - Jose Lambiet, 4 months ago Reply
      
      Sorry, Tim. This was a major car accident, and it could have been much worse if traffic had been heavier. FHP ordered toxicology, not me. However, having seen my parents lose my brother in similar circumstances, I do feel terribly for Bud and his family. No one deserves to go through this with a son or daughter, no matter what.
      - tim murphy, 4 months ago
        
        True and the deeper story is that this is the third and final child they will bury all three stories tragic. I only wish that news reporting on every story of this nature was approached as if it the reporter had a personal relationship with the victims.
  - Lynn, 4 months ago Reply
    
    I agree Jose…..lets not jump to conclusions…..Chappy was a very well liked gentleman and will be missed by so many….my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
- Kristine, 4 months ago Reply
  
  To know Chappy was to love him. A great spirit and a sweet soul. Keep negative comments in your own closet…
A 1911 SHOOTER, 4 months ago Reply

Maybe he was surfing Pornhub ?
- cristian, 4 months ago Reply
  
  Keep your stupid coments to yourself !
Tom & Susan, 4 months ago Reply

Our hearts go out to Chappy’s father, Bud Adams. Rest In Peace, Chappy.
Janet, 4 months ago Reply

Condolences for family and co-workers. He will be missed by all. I have children his age and knew his dad back in the day. My heart breaks for anyone losing a child regardless of age or circumstances. Thank you Jose for your reporting…..
Victor DeFrisco, 4 months ago Reply

A real gentlemen. When I was about to move my Exit Realty office into their space where his Lake Worth Office was he couldn’t have been nicer. Saw him at many Realtor functions and he was always happy and friendly. Didn’t know him very well but he was just a real nice guy.

My deepest Sympathy, he will be missed in the Realtor Community and by his family and friends.
High-profile South Florida Realtor killed in car crash | Smittys Business News, 4 months ago Reply

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Gary, 4 months ago Reply

Jose
I look for your reports concerning. the
Missteps and salacious news of
Palm Beach
The reporting of this tragedy by you
seems a bit premature given your
Usual story’s .
I understand why some would prefer
you did not report this at all until
toxicology reports were made public
The very fact that you report that
you have mentioned it will lead many
to presume the worst
- Jose Lambiet, 4 months ago Reply
  
  Sorry, Gary, as a professional reporter, I will continue reporting this story.
  
  Chappy was in many functions in Palm Beach, and he’s been part of the community that I cover for 48 years.
  
  If the Palm Beach Post did its job, I could concentrate on other things. But I feel I owe it to the people of this area to report on this.
  
  Since it took the Post three hours after my story and nine hours after the accident to finally put on their website that Chappy died, and since Illustrated is the Post’s biggest advertiser, you can’t count on them for much more.
  - A 1911 SHOOTER, 4 months ago Reply
    
    Well said. The MSM sucks, esp the very liberal PBP.
- PKelley, 4 months ago Reply
  
  Are you kidding me “Gary”? How absolutely tasteless can you be – this is not the proper forum! Chappy was a piece of PBC and a good person – take your comments elsewhere.
Debra Stanton, 4 months ago Reply

Chappy was a gentleman, a great businness man, & a moral man.
He inspired me to be great at my job as a former Realtor with Illustrated Properties.
He was always available to me & helped me negogiate many sales.
He was also a friend.
I am extremely disturbed & saddened & shocked to hear about this unfornuate accident.
Jose, I used to be the non profit account executive at the Palm Beach Post back in 2008 -2009. I always ran into Chappy out & about in Palm Beach etc..
What a handsome man he was & I pray he shines in the heavens above….
Jose, please let me know when the funeral will take place & where as I would like to pay my respects. Thank you, Debra
- Jose Lambiet, 4 months ago Reply
  
  will do Debra
  - Debra Stanton, 4 months ago Reply
    
    Hi Jose,
    I wonder where was Chappy coming from at 4 am??
    Who was he with right before the accident??
    Something is not right as it is too odd ….
    
    I found out the funeral is at Howard Price Funeral Home this Wed 4-8pm
    
    Debra Stanton
High-profile South Florida Realtor killed in car crash — City Car Accident, 4 months ago Reply

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jimbo, 4 months ago Reply

When the facts come out, I think we will be thankful that the selfish acts of one didnt ruin the lives of others on the road this “early morning”.
jimbo, 4 months ago Reply

The troubled past comments are amusing though …. Benjamin school Boston Vollege …. classic … sounds like another story of entitlement coupled with zero discipline.
- Trish Wegman, 4 months ago Reply
  
  I find it disgusting that you find comments about a troubled past amusing. Your ignorance is further demonstrated in your comment about entitlement. You obviously did not know Chappy. Thankfully there are plenty of us out there who did.
MIa, 4 months ago Reply

Chappy was always a gentleman with a wonderful demeanor,and greatest personality . …
He was always upbeat and never judged or spoke badly of anyone.. It is so heartbreaking and painful to hear the news of this tragic death he was too young . I pray he is with God and did not suffer . I will miss your smile Chappy )) :
Bliss Bird, 4 months ago Reply

Up here in the Somerset Hills of New Jersey, my mother always said, “Once you’ve used the words “class” or “taste,” you’ve lost them” ….. but in PB I guess I’d have to run that past Shannon D.
LeAnna, 4 months ago Reply

My heart is breaking for Bud. Bud and Chappy were two of the nicest men I have ever met. They were so friendly and approachable. I can’t believe this is the 3rd child they have lost. How did they lose the other two? My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. A little beautiful girl will no longer have her father. Just heartbreaking.
Florida Auto Accident Takes Life of Local High Profile Realtor | Jaspon & Armas, P.A -Personal Injury Lawyer in Orlando, Florida, 4 months ago Reply

[...] A car accident that occurred on PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens took the life of a popular local Realtor. Local authorities reported that Chappy Adams age 48, was exiting I-95 at PGA Blvd around 4 a.m. and left the roadway went airborne on a concrete berm and then slammed into a tree. It was also reported that Adams was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the fatal auto accident. Adams was president of Illustrated Properties with offices in 20 different major cities and one of Florida’s biggest real estate firms. Read here [...]
Carl Rizzuto, 4 months ago Reply

Our prayers go out to Chappys daughter, his dad and the Adams family. Our thoughts and the thoughts of all of us at Keller Williams Realty are with them all.
13634rhonecircle.com | Chappy Adams: A Gilded But Troubled Life, 4 months ago Reply

[...] 48, who died in a high-speed single-car crash in Palm Beach Gardens about 4 a.m. yesterday, sold $5 million worth of real estate on behalf of [...]
13634rhonecircle.com | Funeral Arrangements Set for Realtor Chappy Adams, 4 months ago Reply

[...] arrangements for Illustrated Properties President Chappy Adams have been [...]
13634rhonecircle.com | Chappy Adams: A Gilded But Troubled Life!, 4 months ago Reply

[...] 48, who died in a high-speed single-car crash in Palm Beach Gardens about 4 a.m. yesterday, sold $5 million worth of real estate on behalf of [...]
HEAVY HEART, 4 months ago Reply

Jose has said nothing bad about Chappy. unfortunately all of Chappy’s mishaps were public record and they had nothing to do with being a child of priveledge. He was a very hard worker and did not have anything handed to him like someone above stated. I know Chappy had his demons, but we all do rich or poor. Instead of yelling at Jose and focusing on the things Chappy did years ago, lets pray for Chappy’s daughter and the mother of his child Diana. Diana had to make all the aragements and break the news to their daughter about her fathers passing. Diana still loved Chappy very much and he loved her as well….this is FACT!
Hundreds Gather to Remember Chappy Adams, 4 months ago Reply

[...] Chappy passed away last week in a car accident early in the morning. He was 48. [...]
13634rhonecircle.com | Hundreds Gather to Remember Chappy Adams, 4 months ago Reply

[...] realtor Chappy Adams was laid to rest this afternoon, a week after the 48-year-old dad died in an early morning car crash near his [...]
Hamish, 3 weeks ago Reply

Chappy was cool…this I know, from decades in passing…