Rihanna's heartbreak as beloved cousin dies aged 28 in latest family tragedy

01 September 2023 , 20:23

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Rihanna and Tanella (Image: tanella_/Instagram)

A beloved cousin of Rihanna has died suddenly in the latest heartbreaking tragedy for the family.

Tanella Alleyne has died at the age of 28, just six years after her brother was shot dead hours after a Christmas celebration. In further devastation, Tanella's twin sister Taneisha also died at the age of 14.

Tanella had amassed over 55,000 Instagram followers and often shared snaps alongside her famous cousin. Her death is the latest devastation for the Umbrella singer and the news comes just days after she gave birth to her second child with A$AP Rocky.

Tanella, who was also known by her pals and followers as TT or Nella, died on August 13. Earlier this week, loved ones paid respects at Barbados' St George Parish Church for her funeral.

Rihanna and Tanella were close cousins (tanella_/Instagram)

Social media followers quickly paid tribute to Tanella as the news broke. Taking to her last Instagram post, in which she posed while wearing a fitted yellow dress at a birthday party, one fan wrote: "You were such a sweet beautiful Angel tanella your forever going to be miss my condolences to your friends and family."

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Another shared a similar sentiment, writing: "you had a pure soul my friend. Return if possible," while a third said: "I’m just now seeing this news. heartbroken."

The tragic news comes six years after Tanella's brother Tavon was shot dead in Barbados. The awful scenes took place just before 7pm on Boxing Day in 2017 when a gunman shot him several times. Tavon was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to hospital.

Rihanna's cousin has died (Getty Images)

Tavon's killer fled the scene of the crime and still hasn't been identified. Shortly after the event, Tanella said her brother hadn't deserved to die. While recognising he wasn't a saint, she said he didn't deserve to be murdered.

Opening up on her family tragedies she said: "We lost our mother at seven, and our dad was never playing his part. Then everyone separated, we never lived together until recently. This was our first Christmas together, the first time we've ever lived together."

In a touching tribute following his death, Tanella said she felt "comfort knowing that you would be with mum and Taneisha".

Jamie Roberts