For many years, Erin Dempsey, an English teacher at Triton High School, believed she would never hear from her dad or older brother after her parents got divorced when she was just two years old. Growing up in Lynnfield with her single mother, Carol, Dempsey would constantly ask about her father out of curiosity, but her mother would usually just change the subject. Eventually Erin accepted her past was a mystery.But everything changed when fellow teacher, Mr.Ferron casually asked if she was related to Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey. Laughing at first, she brushed it off until she looked into it herself, and what she found left her speechless. Dempsey went into a deep dive of her family history and uncovered a shocking truth. The Hollywood actor she has seen on TV, turned out to be her older brother she hadn’t known about because they were separated at birth, both of her parents taking one child.

“At first, I thought it was impossible,” said Erin. “But the more I looked into it, the more it all lined up.” After a few days of hesitation, she reached out to Patrick through an email, doubtful of her actually getting a response, but to her surprise, Patrick responded. He had always known he had a little sister but had never been told the full story. “It’s surreal,” Erin said. “All this time, I never even knew I had an older brother, let alone one who’s a TV star.” Throughout the next few weeks they continued to talk and their conversations turned into deep discussions about their lives, and Patrick was eager to make up for lost time.

Now, Patrick is considering coming to Triton, not just to visit her younger sister, but also to give back to the community around where he was born. “This town shaped my family, even if I wasn’t here for it,” he reportedly told Erin. “I heard about Triton’s current condition, and I want to help.” He is currently in touch with the Superintendent of Triton about making a generous donation to fund much needed renovations. Erin, is still processing this surprising discovery, and is both excited and over whelmed. “I spent years wondering about my family,” She said. “I never even imagined having a brother though.” With Patrick visiting her sister soon, Triton may receive a big donation from the popular movie star and Erin may even appear on Grey’s Anatomy with her brother.