American rapper known to fans as Lil Tay has sadly passed away aged 14, along with her brother, as confirmed by the siblings’ family members.
The young star, whose real name is Clare Hope, first rose to fame in 2018, when she boasted about her wealth on social media and frequently used offensive language at a young age.
Taking to Instagram to reveal the devastating news, her family wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain.”
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They added: “This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.
“During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation.”
The statement concluded: “Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her.”
It was previously reported that the social media star and her father Christopher Hope seemingly had a strained relationship – with Lil Tay herself claiming she “did not have” a father figure in a tribute to rapper XXXTentacion following his death in 2018.
In addition to this, her brother Jason Tian, who also passed away at the age of 21, had previously set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise $19,000 for Lil Tay after both levelled allegations of physical and mental abuse against their father and his wife, Hanee.
During that time, a series of Instagram posts from Lil Tay’s account claimed that her dad had filed a court motion that called his daughter back to Vancouver and prompted her sudden disappearance.
A spokesperson for Lil Tay’s father said he didn’t want any money from his daughter despite trademarking her name.
Since the news of her passing, shocked fans have headed to social media to share their condolences.
One social media user wrote: “Rest in peace to Lil Tay and her brother. Even though you tricked the internet you rose in popularity and actually got ‘bricks’. May you and your brother rest well.”
While another said: “I’m sad I miss Lil Tay already.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk