By Marisa Laudadio
8:33am PDT, Mar 27, 2023
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Nothing is more heartbreaking than losing a child. Sadly, many celebrities have had to say goodbye to their babies over the last few years. Keep reading to see which stars are grieving the loss of their kids in recent years…
On March 25, 2023, composer and musical theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber lost his son — Nick Lloyd Webber, who was a Grammy-nominated composer himself — to gastric cancer. He was 43.
"I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital [in England]. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft. Thank you for all your thoughts during this difficult time," the "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera" musician wrote in a statement released to multiple media outlets.
Andrew revealed on Instagram two days earlier that Nick — his son with first wife Sarah Hugill — had been transferred to hospice care after catching pneumonia amid his 18-month battle with stomach cancer. (The six-time Tony Award winner has an older daughter with Sarah and three children — two sons and a daughter — with third wife Madeleine Gurdon.)
Keep reading for more stars who are mourning children who've died in recent years…
MORE: Celebs who've battled cancer
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Grammy-nominated musician Ben Kweller and wife Liz Smith Kweller shared heartbreaking news on Feb. 28, 2023: They lost their oldest child, 16-year-old son Dorian, in a car accident. "There's no way that I can be typing this but I am…. Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend," Ben shared on Instagram alongside this photo of his son (right). "Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know. We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth. Please keep his spirit alive with your memories and the music he made: @reallyzev."
Like his father, the teen was a musician. "Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking. Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!!" Ben, a former member of the band Radish, added. "His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW. My last text with him was about the merch he wanted to make. My baby boy was at the starting line with so much life ahead of him…" Ben concluded, "I have no idea why things like this happen. We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds. Lizzy, [our younger son] Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages."
MORE: Stars who've died from COVID-19
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Supermodel Stephanie Seymour and publisher Peter Brant lost son Harry Brant — a socialite, model and beauty businessman — at the start of 2021. Harry was found dead on Jan. 17, his family confirmed to The New York Times. The New York "it" boy died of an accidental prescription drug overdose after battling addiction issues for years, according to his family. "We will forever be saddened that his life was cut short by this devastating disease," they told the Times in a statement. "He achieved a lot in his 24 years, but we will never get the chance to see how much more Harry could have done." In the years before his death, Harry worked as a columnist for his father's Interview magazine, walked runways for notable fashion designers and, with big brother Peter II, launched a unisex makeup line with MAC.
In early 2023, Stephanie returned to modeling for the first time since Harry died, posing for the cover of WSJ. Magazine's Spring Women's Fashion Issue. In the black-and-white spread, she sports a number of looks including a Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane suit that her son bought for himself years ago. "If I think that Harry would love something, I do it, and it does help me with my grief. It still feels so good to put his clothes on," she told the magazine in her first interview since losing her son. She added of recently spending the holidays with her family, sans Harry, "I try to just be present. For me with holidays, and I'm sure a lot of other people can relate, it's difficult now because I'm always thinking of what's missing."
MORE: Stars who died in 2023
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On Feb. 5, 2023, Grayson Smiley-Arroyo — the son of former "The Real Housewives of Orange County" star Slade Smiley and ex Michelle Arroyo — died at 22. A "heartbroken" Michelle took to Instagram to share a photo of her beloved boy, who was first diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and detail his final hours, explaining that "his heart stopped here at home and I performed chest compressions to get it going until the paramedics arrived and took over. When he left for the hospital he looked good and was breathing on his own but his heart gave out again at the hospital. I don't have all the answers now, but I do know that the last few months with fevers, infection, and low potassium most likely took a toll on my sweet boy's heart."
Slade's longtime fiancée, former "RHOC" star Gretchen Rossi, also took to Instagram to share a slideshow of photos of Slade with Gray. "Our rational minds told us this day might come, but our hearts always held onto the hope that this day would not come to fruition," she wrote, calling Gray "such a special human being" and "an Angel on this earth and an incredible warrior… a warrior like no one has ever seen before." Gretchen added, "He fought everyday through his pain and discomfort to find joy in the smallest of things. He was always singing & dancing & laughing despite his circumstances. He was a true beacon of light and hope. Although his life was cut short on earth he made an incredible impact on so many people. The Lord knew his life had purpose and would touch many along the way." She continued, "We are forever grateful for the many lessons learned from this little man, and will miss his beautiful spirit immensely. May the Lord hold him in his hands, renew his broken body, and give him life again. This isn't goodbye but rather see you soon little man…..We love you Grayson. You will forever be in our hearts. Love your Dad, Gretchen & your sister Skylar Gray."
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Lisa Marie Presley's only son, Benjamin Keough — whose dad is her first husband, musician Danny Keough — died by suicide on July 12, 2020. Benjamin — the grandson of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley — was 27. In August 2022, Lisa wrote a heartbreaking personal essay to mark National Grief Awareness Day and shared it with People magazine, revealing how she's coped, what she's learned and what advice she has for others who've experienced or know people who've faced similar tragedies. "My and my three daughters' lives as we knew it were completely detonated and destroyed by his death. We live in this every. Single. Day," Lisa Marie wrote in part. "I've dealt with death, grief and loss since the age of 9 years old. I've had more than anyone's fair share of it in my lifetime and somehow, I've made it this far. But this one, the death of my beautiful, beautiful son? The sweetest and most incredible being that I have ever had the privilege of knowing, who made me feel so honored every single day to be his mother? Who was so much like his grandfather on so many levels that he actually scared me? Which made me worry about him even more than I naturally would have? No. Just no … no no no no …" she wrote, adding, "It's a real choice to keep going, one that I have to make every single day and one that is constantly challenging to say the least … But I keep going for my girls."
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On Feb. 1, 2023, Bachelor Nation's Sarah Herron — who competed for Sean Lowe's heart on season 17 of "The Bachelor" in 2013 and then appeared on two seasons of "Bachelor in Paradise" — took to Instagram to announce that she and her fiancé, Dylan Brown, tragically lost their son, Oliver, four days earlier when he was born prematurely, just 24 weeks into her pregnancy. "On January 28th, at 24 weeks old, our beautiful son Oliver Brown was born. He passed away in his dad's arms shortly after. There are no words for the magnitude of loss and pain we're experiencing," she wrote, adding that her baby boy had her nose and "his dad's mouth and long fingers."
"Oliver, our IVF miracle defied so many odds and fought through so many hard milestones to be here, but the higher powers still had other plans for the three of us. Our time together was short, but we are grateful for the days we had with Oliver in my belly. He has taught us so much about the integrity of life, love and death. Oliver filled our home and hearts with so much love and most importantly, optimism. The stars aligned to create Baby Oliver with a deep, meaningful purpose bigger than we'll ever understand. His body was small, but his legacy will always be larger than life to us," she continued.
"While our hearts are shattered beyond comprehension, we are comforted knowing that our son's soul only ever knew love and will not suffer in a body that wasn't built for this life. We'll never understand the cruelty of it all, but through the darkness, Oliver remains so so bright. We love you so much, baby boy. You will never be replaced. You are so perfect and awesome," Sarah concluded.
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On Jan. 12, 2023, Odele Ventimiglia — the daughter of actor John Ventimiglia, who played chef Artie Bucco on HBO's "The Sopranos," and Belinda Cape — died at 25, leaving behind a baby daughter, Shiloh. "Heartbroken to have to post our darling Odele's funeral notice. Her sister Lucinda and I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and love we have received, and your remembrances of how cherished Odele was to so many," her mom wrote on Facebook. "Odele was greatly loved, and leaves a huge hole in our lives." Belinda asked that instead of flowers, mourners consider donating to Odele's daughter's future education costs on a GoFundMe page. Sister Lucinda mourned her sibling in a heartbreaking Instagram post, writing that "words will never be enough to express the grief we are all feeling. I loved my little sister a lot and I will spend the rest of my life searching for her in everything."
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On Jan. 29, 2023, comedian Rickey Smiley revealed his eldest child, son Brandon Smiley — who also worked as a comedian — had passed away at 32. "I lost my oldest son #BrandonSmiley this morning," Rickey captioned an Instagram video announcing the sad news. "I'm okay, but please pray for my son's mother Brenda, his siblings and his daughter Storm."
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On Jan. 21, 2022, Oscar and Emmy winner Regina King shared tragic news: Her only child, son Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide at 26. "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," the actress — who welcomed Ian, a DJ, with former husband Ian Alexander Sr., a record executive, in 1996 — said in a statement, adding, "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others." Many of Regina's Hollywood friends and fans took to social media to send their love and support in the face of her heartbreak.
Nearly a year later, Regina returned to social media for the first time since Ian's death to share a video of an orange lantern floating away. "January 19th is Ian's Worthday. As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence. We are all in different places on the planet…so is Ian," she captioned the video. "His spirit is the thread that connects us. Of course orange is your favorite color…Its the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breath[e]. My absolute favorite thing about myself is being ….Regina the mother of Ian the GodKing. Continue to shine bright, my guiding light."
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Tina Turner has now outlived both of her children. The music legend lost her youngest son, Ronnie Turner (lower right) — whose father is the late musician Ike Turner — on Dec. 8. "Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son," the grieving "What's Love Got to Do With It" singer wrote on social media. TMZ reported that Ronnie was outside his home in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley having a hard time breathing. A 9-1-1 call brought paramedics to the scene but efforts to revive Ronnie, 62 — who was a musician like his parents — were unsuccessful. TMZ further reported that he'd had health issues in recent years including cancer. On Dec. 13, TMZ reported that the L.A. County Coroner confirmed Ronnie died from "complications of metastatic colon carcinoma," with his autopsy report noting Ronnie had stage 4 colon cancer that left him struggling in the final three weeks of his life. Ronnie's grieving wife, French singer Afida Turner, called him her "best friend" who was "a true angel" in an emotional Instagram post. "I did the best to the end this time I was no[t] able to save you. Love you for… 17 years this is very very very bad and I am very mad," she wrote, adding, "This is a tragedy u with your brother Craig and your father Ike Turner and [your aunt] Aline rest in paradise… So unfair." Tina also lost her older son, Craig Hill (top right) — whose father was singer-saxophonist Raymond Hill — to suicide in 2018. (Also pictured with Tina and Ike circa 1972, bottom and top left: Ike's sons with ex Lorraine Taylor, Michael and Ike Jr.)
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"Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" actor Tim Roth and second wife Nikki Butler lost son Cormac Roth, a musician, composer and producer, at 25 on Oct. 16. Cormac revealed in November 2021 that he'd been diagnosed with stage 3 germ cell cancer. "He was a wild and electric ball of energy and his spirit was filled with light and goodness," his family said in a statement. "As wild as he was, Cormac was also the embodiment of kindness. A gentle soul who brought so much happiness and hope to those around him. The grief comes in waves, as do the tears and laughter, when we think of that beautiful boy across the 25 years and 10 months that we knew him. An irrepressible and joyful and wild and wonderful child. Only recently a man. We love him. We will carry him with us wherever we go."
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Tristen Nash — the son of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Kevin Nash, who also starred in the "Magic Mike" movies, and Tamara Nash — died on Oct. 19, 2022, at 26. Fightful wrestling writer Sean Ross Sapp reported on Oct. 20, 2022. "Tristen recently started working on Kevin's new podcast and the two enjoyed their time together," read a statement. Kevin later revealed that his son died from a cardiac arrest caused by a seizure he suffered after he quit drinking cold turkey (seizures can be a symptom of alcohol withdrawal).
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Richard Engel, the chief foreign correspondent at NBC News, and wife Mary lost their eldest child on Aug. 9, 2022. Henry — who in 2017 was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a rare and so far incurable genetic neurological disorder that leads to severe physical and cognitive impairments — was 6. "Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more," Richard shared in a heartbreaking tweet on Aug. 18, linking to a memorial page on the Texas Children's Hospital website.
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Harrison Wagner — the 27-year-old son of "General Hospital" stars Jack Wagner and Kristina Wagner — was found dead in a Los Angeles-area parking lot on June 6, 2022. A spokesperson for the LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner told Page Six that Harrison — the former couple's youngest child — was pronounced dead in North Hollywood at 5:14 a.m. Days later, the Wagners announced that their son "ultimately lost his battle with addiction" and that they'd started a scholarship in his name they hope "will help other young men get help for their addiction that would not otherwise be able to afford it," they said, revealing that all funds donated will help young men — who could not otherwise afford care at the New Life House, a recovery community — to pay rent there. Though Jack and Kristina — who played beloved couple Frisco and Felicia on the soap opera for years — split in the mid-2000s, they remained close to each other and to their sons, Harrison (right) and Peter. In 2016, Jack asked the public for help when Harrison, who Soaps In Depth reported has worked as an actor, DJ and music producer, relapsed and went missing for several days. "Harrison has struggled with drugs and alcohol just as I did when I was younger," Jack tweeted at the time.
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Australian music star and actor Nick Cave has lost another child. On May 9, 2022, the Bad Seeds frontman — who's fathered four sons with three partners — shared in a statement, "With much sadness, I can confirm that my son, Jethro, has passed away. We would be grateful for family privacy at this time." Jethro — Nick's child with ex Beau Lazenby — was 30. The model, actor and musician had just been released from jail after being found guilty of unlawful assault after he physically attacked his mother in March, the Guardian reported, noting that Jethro's lawyer told the court his client had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. His cause of death has not been publicly released. Nick previously lost son Arthur — one of his twins with current wife Susie Bick, the model who founded the Vampire's Wife clothing brand — in 2015. Arthur was 15 when he fell off a cliff near Brighton, England, after taking LSD.
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"Basketball Wives" star Brooke Bailey took to Instagram on Sept. 25 to share devastating news — her daughter, Kayla Nicole Bailey, was dead at 25. "Forever my baby, Pretty Black aka Kayla Nicole Bailey This is not a goodbye," Brooke wrote alongside a slideshow of photos of her beautiful daughter as a child and as an adult, adding, "Mommy will see you soon." Days later, the Memphis Police Department confirmed Kayla died in a car accident in Tennessee — she was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a tractor trailer. Brooke continued to mourn her child in her Instagram Stories, writing in one post, "I am grateful for the 25 years [God] Blessed me to have HIS child. To love her, to hold her, to teach her, to comfort her. She was my happiness on earth."
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On May 29, 2022, Master P took to Instagram to announce the death of one of his children with ex-wife Sonya C: Daughter Tytyana Miller was 29. "Our family is dealing with an overwhelming grief for the loss of my daughter Tytyana. We respectfully request some privacy so that our family can grieve. We appreciate all of the prayers love and support. Mental illness & substance abuse is a real issue that we can't be afraid to talk about. With God, we will get through this. #MyAngel," the rapper and reality TV star captioned a post on Instagram. He later confirmed that Tytyana, whose struggles with addiction were documented on her family's reality show, "Growing Up Hip Hop," died from a drug overdose.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, who announced in October 2021 that she was pregnant with twins, shared bittersweet news on April 18, 2022 — they lost their son as they welcomed a daughter. "It is with our deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our baby boy. It's the greatest pain any parent can feel," the couple wrote on Instagram. "Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness. We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support. We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you." The athlete is also a dad to four other kids — Alana Martina (with Georgina), twins Eva Maria and Mateo (with a surrogate), and Cristiano Jr. (with a woman he has not publicly identified) — who are seen here with their new baby sister, Bella Esmeralda.
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Actor Rio Hackford — the son of "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Ray" director Taylor Hackford and first wife Georgie Lowres and the stepson of actress Helen Mirren — died on April 14, 2022, in Huntington Beach, California, at 51. Rio, who appeared in "The Mandalorian," "Pam & Tommy," "Treme," "American Crime Story" and more "died of uveal melanoma, a very aggressive and rare form of cancer," Taylor and wife Helen told People magazine in a statement. "We would beg everyone reading this to get their eyes tested at least once a year, which might save their loved ones from this cancer." The couple further mourned Rio, saying they "are both inspired by the life of our son and stepson … and heartbroken by his loss. His life showed us how to live in generosity and community. He shared his life's journey with so many who now mourn him, and at the same time, celebrate their fortune in knowing him."
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"Reservoir Dogs" star Michael Madsen's son Hudson Madsen (seen on the left with his family in 2011) died by suicide on Jan. 23, 2022, the Department of the Medical Examiner in Honolulu, Hawaii, confirmed to E! News. Hudson — a soldier in the U.S. Army who'd spent time in Afghanistan and lived on Oahu with his wife of more than three years — was 26. "We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson," Michael, wife DeAnna and their family told Metro.co.uk in a statement. On Jan. 26, Michael opened up about the tragedy in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "I am in shock as my son, whom I just spoke with a few days ago, said he was happy — my last text from him was 'I love you dad,'" the grieving actor said. "I didn't see any signs of depression. It's so tragic and sad. I'm just trying to make sense of everything and understand what happened. He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family. He was looking towards his future, so it's mind blowing. I just can't grasp what happened." Michael also revealed that he's asked for a full investigation by the military, explaining he believes "that officers and rank and file were shaming" Hudson — who's the godson of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino — for needing therapy, which made him back off on seeking help for mental health issues.
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On Jan. 7, 2022, "Nothing Compares 2 U" singer Sinéad O'Connor's took to social media to tell her fans that son Shane, the third of her four children, was dead at 17 following earlier posts revealing he was missing. "My beautiful son, Nevi'im Nesta Ali Shane O'Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God," tweeted the music star, who had Shane with ex Donal Lunny, an Irish folk musician. "May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace." In another post, she tweeted a Bob Marley song that she dedicated to her son, writing, "This is for my Shaney. The light of my life. The lamp of my soul. My blue-eye baby. You will always be my light. We will always be together. No boundary can separate us." She also revealed Shane had been in the care of a state hospital at the time of his disappearance and accused the facility of allowing her son to get "out of their grasp." She later added, "May God forgive the Irish State for I never will."
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On the Dec. 7, 2021, episode of his eponymous talk show, host Nick Cannon announced that his youngest child, 5-month-old Zen Scott Cannon, was dead from brain cancer. Nick explained how he and Zen's mom, model Alyssa Scott — who gave birth in June — learned two months later that Zen had a malignant tumor. Zen underwent surgery to drain fluid from his brain and doctors put in a shunt, but things took a devastating turn a few months later. "At Thanksgiving, the tumor began to grow a lot faster, so we knew that time was [coming]," an emotional Nick told his studio audience, as shared in a video he posted on social media. The star said he was able to spend "quality time" with Zen and Alyssa over the first weekend in December, including at a Southern California beach on Dec. 5, the day Nick was able to "[hold] my son for the last time" before he passed away, Nick shared.
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"Siesta Key" star Madisson Hausburg and her husband, Ismael "Ish" Soto, announced tragic news on Dec. 21, 2021: Their son, Elliot, was delivered stillborn at 37 weeks on Dec. 12. Madisson shared their story on Instagram, writing, "Instead of leaving the hospital with our beautiful baby boy, I was wheeled out with just this memory box. It's true what they say about there being no greater love than a mother's love. And there is no deeper pain than losing a child." Madisson and Ish, who met when he served as a producer on her MTV series, wed two months earlier. They'd announced in August that they were expecting their first child together.
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On Nov. 12, 2021, rocker Chris Daughtry's stepdaughter, Hannah, was found dead in her Nashville home by the Nashville Police Department, People magazine reported. The Grammy-nominated Daughtry frontman, who came to fame on season 5 of "American Idol" and was on tour when the tragic news emerged, immediately returned home to be with his family. (He's seen here with Hannah in 2010.) There was initially conflicting speculation about what happened to Hannah, and in early 2022, Chris and his family confirmed that authorities determined she'd died by suicide while under the influence of narcotics. "I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken," Chris wrote alongside a photo of Hannah in the aftermath of her death. "I just recently lost my mother to cancer but I was blessed with the chance to say goodbye and I was processing it privately. We never got to say goodbye to our precious Hannah and it's another huge hit to our family. Thank you all for your kind words and condolences. They are truly felt and appreciated. I am now taking time be present with my family as we attempt to heal from this devastating loss," he continued, adding, "Hannah, I love you. I miss you. I wish I could hold you. This hurts so deeply." Deanna — Chris's wife of more than two decades years — also took to social media to grieve, writing alongside a slideshow of photos of her daughter, "My first born. I love you endlessly Hannah. Our family would like to thank you all for the outpouring of love as we grieve the loss of our daughter Hannah." Hannah and adult brother Griffin are Deanna's children from a previous marriage; Chris and Deanna are also parents to twins Adalynn and Noah.
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"Trap Queen" rapper Fetty Wap is mourning the death of 4-year-old Lauren Maxwell, his daughter with Lisa Pembroke, aka performer Turquoise Miami. Lauren passed away in Riverdale, Georgia, on June 24, 2021. According to TMZ, her death certificate indicates she died from a cardiac arrhythmia — an irregular heartbeat — caused by complications from congenital cardiac anomalies. A devastated Lisa — who on Aug. 5 took to Instagram to slam TMZ for posting the news, saying "that is not the full cause of her death" and noting that autopsy results were pending — announced Lauren's passing on social media on Aug. 1, calling her daughter "my amazing, beautiful, funny, vibrant, loving, talented, smart and hardheaded princess mermaid Aquarius." Two days later, Fetty Wap (real name: Willie Maxwell II) took to Instagram where he called his little girl his "mini me" and "my twin," captioning a photo of Lauren, "I love you to the moon and back forever and ever bestfriend…" The grieving dad told fans on Instagram Live, "She's good. My baby's happy now." The music star has five surviving children from previous relationships.
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"Selling Sunset" star Maya Vander revealed sad news on Dec. 10: Her third child, a son, was delivered stillborn on Dec. 9, 2021. "Yesterday was the hardest day of my life. I had a still birth at 38 weeks. I always heard of it but never imagined I'll be part of the statistics. Instead of delivering a baby, I get to go home with a memory box… I do not wish this on anyone," the Netflix star shared on Instagram. Maya and husband David Miller also share son Aiden, 2, and daughter Elle, 1.
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In April 2021, retired NBA star Scottie Pippen announced that his oldest child, Antron, had passed away at 33. "I'm heartbroken to share that yesterday, I said goodbye to my firstborn son Antron. The two of us shared a love for basketball and we had countless conversations about the game. Antron suffered from chronic asthma and if he hadn't had it, I truly believe he would've made it to the NBA," Scottie wrote on Instagram along a slideshow of photos of his son. "He never let that get him down, though — Antron stayed positive and worked hard, and I am so proud of the man that he became. Please keep his mom, [my first wife] Karen [McCollum], and all of his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. A kind heart and beautiful soul gone way too soon. I love you, son, rest easy until we meet again." Antron, whose cause of death has not been disclosed, was the oldest of the basketball star's eight children. Scottie also lost another child, Tyler — a twin to Taylor — nine days after former girlfriend Sonya Roby gave birth in 1994.
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On Oct. 29, 2021, Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson took to Instagram to share that he and wife Cheryl's son Michael Johnson — one of four children they adopted — had died at 33. "We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with Michael," the "Inside the NBA" host wrote on Twitter. Ernie also shared a photo of Michael, who used a ventilator due to respiratory issues, on Instagram, captioning it, "This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and [who was] diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy lived a miraculous life of 33 years. We lost Michael Johnson today and we're crushed. But we also know we'll see him again…and that sustains us."
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OWN TV host Dr. Laura Berman lost 16-year-old son Samuel Chapman in February 2021. "My beautiful boy is gone. 16 years old. Sheltering at home. A drug dealer connected with him on Snapchat and gave him fentanyl laced Xanax or Percocet (toxicology will tell) and he overdosed in his room," the relationship and intimacy therapist, who hosts "In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman" and the "Language of Love" podcast, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself hugging her boy. "They do this because it hooks people even more and is good for business but It causes overdose and the kids don't know what they are taking. My heart is completely shattered and I am not sure how to keep breathing. I post this now only so that not one more kid dies. We watched him so closely. Straight A student. Getting ready for college. Experimentation gone bad. He got the drugs delivered to the house. Please watch your kids and WATCH SNAPCHAT especially. That's how they get them." Laura has been a fierce activist for raising awareness of the opioid crisis following Samuel's death.
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"Black Dynamite" and "Spawn" actor Michael Jai White revealed in an interview with VladTV that hit the internet on Aug. 1, 2021, that his oldest son died from COVID-19 complications at 38 "a few months ago," explaining (as reported by People magazine), "He was in the hospital for a while so it wasn't immediate." Michael's son — a father of six — had also been dealing with substance abuse issues that further "compromised" his health amid his battle with the coronavirus. "Ultimately, when he got sick and went to the hospital, COVID was waiting for him… That was the knockout blow," the "For Better of Worse" and "Arrow" actor said, adding that his son, whose name he didn't share, had not been vaccinated.
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In April 2021, Ashley Cain, who starred on MTV's "The Challenge," and girlfriend Safiyya Vorajee lost 8-month-old daughter Azaylia following a 6-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. "I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven," Ashley captioned a heartbreaking post sharing the sad news on Instagram. Safiyya called Azaylia "my Angel my heartbeat my soul" in another post. "RIP my precious baby, you will always be with me like a handprint on my heart."
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CNN correspondent Rene Marsh in April 2021 announced that her son, Blake Payne, had died from brain cancer. He was just 2 years old. "In your 25 months on earth you taught me how much strength I had stored up in reserve that I didn't know I had. You taught me endurance. You taught me a depth of love I have never experienced. You inspired me to keep going when I wanted to give up. You helped me prioritize what is truly important in this life," Rene wrote on Instagram alongside a slideshow of photos of her toddler, who was diagnosed in 2019. "I am forever changed because of you, my son. I feel blessed and honored to have been your mom. I wish we had more time together but I'm grateful for the time we had." She went on to explain, "I didn't just lose you Blakey, I lost all the dreams and hopes that a mom has for a son. I lost my motherhood and I'm mourning it all." Rene alsp said she is "dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer for the rest of my life. I will do it not just to spare other parents from this unbearable pain but I will do it to forever honor you, Blake. Your life was not in vain my sweet angel."
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On Nov. 23, 2020, "Dallas" actress Linda Gray revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram post that her son, TV director and producer Jeff Thrasher — who'd worked on shows including "The Amazing Race Canada" and "Junior Chef Showdown" — had died. "A celebration of my son Jeff's life. He was the kindest, funniest, sweetest human being….. he brought the world such love and was loved by everyone! May his journey be a magical one," she captioned a slideshow of photos showing Jeff, who was in his 50s, riding a bike and his name written in the sand on a beach. Jeff's dad was Linda's former husband, the late art director and album cover designer Ed Thrasher.
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R&B star Bobby Brown suffered another agonizing loss when Bobby Brown Jr., his 28-year-old son with ex-girlfriend Kim Ward, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Nov. 18, 2020. Foul play was not suspected, authorities told CNN. Bobby Jr. was "not feeling well a couple days before his death" and was experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to a statement from Bobby Sr.'s attorney. "Please keep my family in your prayers at this time," the music star said in a statement. "Losing my son at this point in our lives has devastated my family. There are no words to explain the pain." An autopsy report later revealed that Bobby Jr. died from an overdose of alcohol, cocaine and the opioid fentanyl. Five years earlier, the father of seven also lost 22-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, his only child with ex-wife Whitney Houston.
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On Oct. 16, 2020, James Redford — an activist, filmmaker and philanthropist better known as Jamie, who was the third of actor Robert Redford's four children with historian ex-wife Lola Van Wagenen — died of bile duct cancer in his liver. He was 58. "The grief is immeasurable with the loss of a child. Jamie was a loving son, husband and father," Robert's rep said in a statement. "His legacy lives on through his children, art, filmmaking and devoted passion to conservation and the environment." Jamie co-founded The Redford Center with his father in 2005 and wrote, directed and produced more than a dozen films — including award-winning documentaries like "Watershed," "Toxic Hot Seat" and "Mann v. Ford" — during his career.
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On May 13, 2020, music star Melissa Etheridge announced heartbreaking news: Her son with ex Julie Cypher had died from an opioid overdose. "Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction. My son Beckett, who was just 21, struggled to overcome his addiction and finally succumbed to it today. He will be missed by those who loved him, his family and friends," Melissa — who also shares adult daughter Bailey with Julie and has teenage twins Johnnie Rose and Miller Steven with ex Tammy Lynn Michaels — told People magazine in a statement. The Grammy winner added, "My heart is broken. I am grateful for those who have reached out with condolences and I feel their love and sincere grief. We struggle with what else we could have done to save him, and in the end we know he is out of the pain now. I will sing again, soon. It has always healed me." Music legend David Crosby is Beckett's biological father.
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On Aug. 22, 2020 — five months before his own death — veteran radio and TV host Larry King confirmed that two of his children had passed away within three weeks of one another over the summer. "It is with sadness and a father's broken heart that I confirm the recent loss of two of my children, Andy King and Chaia King. Both of them were good and kind souls and they will be greatly missed," Larry Sr. wrote on Facebook. "Andy passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 28th, and Chaia passed on August 20th, only a short time after having been diagnosed with lung cancer. Losing them feels so out of order. No parent should have to bury a child. My family and I thank you for your outpouring of kind sentiments and well wishes." Andy (left) and Chia (center) are Larry's kids with ex-wife Alene Akins. Also pictured with Larry Sr.: son Larry King Jr. (second from left), estranged wife Shawn King and their sons, Chance and Cannon.
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On Oct. 26, 2020, the Kingdom of Brunei's government announced that Prince Azim — the son of Hassanal Bolkiah, 29th Sultan of Brunei — had died at 38 on Oct. 24, 2020, in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The late film producer and philanthropist's younger brother, Prince Mateen, took to Instagram to share his sibling's cause of death, writing, "Earlier this year, my brother was diagnosed with severe systemic vasculitis, which is an autoimmune disease. … At the same time, he was also coping with bipolar disorder, which made the fight harder. Eventually, my brother succumbed to multiple organ failure caused by persistent infections due to the autoimmune disease." Mateen added that his brother would have wanted their family to be transparent, as Azim "was a big advocate of bringing awareness to different causes."
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Early in 2020, singer-actress Jane Badler — who's best known for her work on the sci-fi series "V" and the Australian soap opera "Neighbours" — revealed that she'd lost Harry Hains, one of her two boys with businessman husband Stephen Hains. "On Jan 7 my beautiful son died. He was 27 and had the world at his feet," she wrote on Instagram of the model-actor, who'd appeared on "American Horror Story," "The OA" and "Sneaky Pete" and made music under the name ANTIBOY. "But sadly he struggled with mental illness and addiction. A brilliant spark shone bright too short a time. I will miss you Harry every day of my life." The Los Angeles Medical Examiner later revealed that Harry died from accidental fentanyl intoxication.
