BEAU BIDEN: VP's Son Dead of Brain Cancer at 46

Vice President Joe Biden's eldest son, Beau Biden, died Saturday in Washington of brain cancer. He was 46.

The former attorney general of Delaware, who was born Joseph R. Biden the Third, had received more than a week's worth of treatment when he died at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Vice President Biden released a statement Saturday night that said, "It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life."

It continued, "In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known."

Aside from his two terms as Delaware's attorney general, Beau served for a year in Iraq as the captain of the Delaware National Guard.

Beau's passing is the latest tragedy for the vice president, who lost his first wife and 13-month-old daughter in a 1972 car crash. (The New York Times)

photo via usamagazine