Statement from the Family of Lisa Nowak

— -- The following is a statement from Andrea Rose, the sister of Lisa Nowak, the NASA astronaut accused of stalking and trying to kill another woman involved in a love triangle with a space shuttle pilot.

February 6, 2007

Rockville, Md.

The family will not be granting interviews at this time, but does want to issue the following statement in response to numerous media requests.

We are naturally saddened and extremely concerned about the serious allegations being made against Lisa. We love her very much, and right now, our primary focus is on her health and well-being.

Lisa is a very intelligent, accomplished individual. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and in her professional career in the Navy and NASA's Space Shuttle program, she has served over 20 years with an unblemished record. Lisa attained the rank of Captain, and flew as a Mission Specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in July 2006.

Personally, Lisa is an extremely caring and dedicated mother to her three children. She has been married for 19 years, although she and her husband had separated a few weeks ago.

Considering both her personal and professional life, these alleged events are completely out of character and have come as a tremendous shock to our family.

We are anxious to allow the facts to develop so that we can better understand what happened, and why. We hope that the public will keep an open mind about what the facts will eventually show and that the legal system will be allowed to run its course.

Finally, we are very grateful for the expressions of love and support that we have received from family and friends, and we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers for our family.