'Grey's Anatomy' star Isaiah Washington reveals wife died from 'massive' stroke in 2025

Isaiah Washington broke his silence on the death of his wife, Jenisa Garland, more than one year after she died.

"She succumbed to a massive hemorrhagic stroke and never recovered."

Washington encouraged his Instagram followers to listen to their bodies and noted, "some headaches are not just headaches or migraines, they can be much worse and a warning sign."

"Get a brain scan if you can and take those headaches seriously," Washington wrote. "She has been gone 16 months now, but she left 3 incredibly amazing children behind to continue her legacy."

He added, "I don't know if this is an appropriate post, because Jenisa Washington was extremely private, but I guess I just have to be reprimanded from her on the other side."

Viola Davis sent condolences and wrote, "So very sorry Isaiah," while actor Michael Beach noted, "It is appropriate, brother. We all need to pay better attention to what we are going through physically and mentally. Love to you and your family."

Washington played Dr. Preston Burke during the show's first three seasons from 2005-07.

"I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set," Washington said in the statement. "Both are beneath my own personal standards. I have nothing but respect for my co-workers ... and have apologized personally to everyone involved."

Amid the ensuing controversy, ABC decided not to renew Washington's contract and his character was written out of the show. However, he returned for an episode in 2014 to send off actress Sandra Oh, who left "Grey's Anatomy" after its 10th season. Washington's character, Burke, was a former love interest of Oh's Cristina Yang.

"The story was a lie and misconstrued. But as a family guy, a father, I thought I was helping the family," said Washington.

The "God's Not Dead" star went on to say that he wouldn't ever apologize for it again.

"That's why I'll never apologize again -- to this day," Washington said. "That's why [former President Donald] Trump doesn't apologize, because when you apologize for something, then that it is admitted to wrong -- doing something wrong. I did nothing wrong."

"I have said 'no' for 3 years now," he captioned a series of snaps. "Time to say 'yes' and get back on the big screen with a BANG! Keep watching me…"