Dan Miller’s wife Cindy dies at 63: Her family, career and battle with leptomeningeal disease, a rare cancer

Cynthia “Cindy” Miller, the wife of Detroit Lions announcer Dan Miller, died on October 10, 2026, at age 63. She had battled leptomeningeal disease. The news came ahead of the Detroit Lions’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 11. Dan Miller missed the radio broadcast following his wife’s death, and Jason Benetti filled in, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Who was Cindy Miller?

Cindy Miller, 63 was married to Dan Miller. Dan was the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Lions. The couple had been married for 33 years. They had four children: Sammi, Rikki, Tony and Robbie. They also had two grandchildren, Daphne and Cecilia, according to Griffin Funeral Home.

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Cindy was born on October 3, 1963, in Falls Church, Virginia, to Roy and Valerie Biondi. Her obituary described her as a woman whose “magnetic personality, infectious humor, and welcoming spirit made everyone feel like family.”

It also described her as “charismatic, funny, fearless, and full of life.” Cindy graduated from the University of Maryland in 1985. She began her career as a news producer. She spent 10 years working in the industry. She met Dan while working at Westwood One Radio Network. Later, she moved into teaching and spent five years as a preschool teacher.

Cindy was a dedicated Lions fan who attended every home game and sat in the fifth row behind the team’s bench, according to her obituary. Her family also remembered attending two home playoff games with her daughters in 2024. The obituary said the Lions were “part of the fabric of her family.”

Dan, who has served as the Lions’ radio play-by-play announcer for years, also works as sports director at WJBK-TV Fox 2. Dan did not join the radio broadcast for the Lions’ October 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals following Cindy’s death.

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Jason Benetti filled in for Dan during the October 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals, working alongside former Lions player Lomas Brown, according to the Detroit Free Press. Benetti addressed Dan’s absence during the pregame show and expressed support for him and his family.

Benetti described Dan as one of the most sincere people he had met in Detroit and acknowledged his longstanding role as a voice of the Lions. He also shared his thoughts with Dan, his children and his grandchildren.

What is Leptomeningeal disease?

Leptomeningeal disease is a condition where cancer spreads to the leptomeninges. The leptomeninges are the layers of tissue and the fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord. The disease is also form of cancer. Cancer cells can grow on these layers. Move through the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid protects the brain and spinal cord. According to the Leptomeningeal Cancer Foundation the cancer cells can grow on the leptomeninges. Float, in the cerebrospinal fluid. The Cleveland Clinic says this is a complication of cancer. It affects 5% of people who have metastatic cancer.

Cindy’s memorial gathering is scheduled for Friday, October 16, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, Northrop-Sassaman Chapel, at 19091 Northville Road in Northville, Michigan. The family has requested, “In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Leptomeingeal Cancer Foundation in Cindy’s name.”