Rihanna’s cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly, at age 28, just six years after her brother, Tavon, was fatally shot on Boxing Day.
The superstar’s beloved relative, who had more than 55,000 Instagram followers, tragically lost her twin sister, when they were just 14.
On Monday, Alleyne’s loved ones filled the St George Parish Church in in Barbados to grieve her death.
According to Loop Barbados News, Rihanna’s powerful ballad, Lift Me Up, was played during the homegoing service.
During the eulogy, Tanella’s adoptive mother, Julie-Ann Bryan, remembered Tanella as a woman who ‘lived a life of gratitude with an outrageous amount of attitude, sprinkled heavily with confidence.’
Gone too soon: Rihanna’s cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly, at age 28, just six years after her brother was fatally shot on Christmas Day
‘There was something special about Nella,’ she told loved ones. ‘She was bold and courageous. Our love for each other was lit.’
A cause of death was not given, but her mom said doctors saw a ‘black mass’ after a CT scan, taken ahead of her death.
Rihanna, who gave birth to her second child, a baby boy, on August 3, was reportedly ‘was seen overcome with emotion’ and seen ‘dabbing tears away from underneath white sunglasses’ as Tavon was laid to rest, according to Metro.
Tanella’s family and friends wore white to the celebration of her life.
In some cultures, wearing white to a funeral or memorial service can represent respect for the deceased and their accomplishments.
DailyMail.com has reach outs to Rihanna’s reps for a comment.
Following the tragic news, fans of the nine-time Grammy winner and Tanella left tributes under the fashionista’s last Instagram post, which she uploaded on June 12.
‘This is unbelievable,’ one wrote. ‘Rip angel.’
Another wrote: ‘You were such a sweet beautiful Angel tanella your forever going to be miss my condolences to your friends and family.’
So young: The superstar’s beloved relative, who had more than 55,000 Instagram followers, tragically lost her twin sister, when they were just 14
Close family: According to Loop Barbados News , Rihanna’s powerful ballad, Lift Me Up, was played during the homegoing service
Full of life: During the eulogy, Tanella’s adoptive mother, Julie-Ann Bryan, remembered Tanella as a woman who ‘lived a life of gratitude with an outrageous amount of attitude, sprinkled heavily with confidence’
Rihanna previously announced her cousin Tavon’s death with a post that was shared to her Instagram account in 2017.
At the time, the singer wrote a message to make her feelings about the tragic shooting known to the public.
She wrote: ‘RIP cousin… can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man! #endgunviolence.’
Tavon was murdered by a still-unidentified shooter while taking a walk in Lake Close, Eden Lodge, St. Michael on the day after Christmas.
Unforgettable: Following the tragic news, fans of the nine-time Grammy winner and Tanella left tributes under the fashionista’s last Instagram post, which she uploaded on June 12
The performer’s cousin was only 21 years old at the time, and he passed away after being taken to a hospital.
Tavon had previously spent Christmas with Rihanna and their family in the hours before his death.
It was unknown if the singer’s relative was targeted or if the shooting was entirely random.
The Barbadian police force later began an investigation into the murder, but it is unknown if the findings were ever made available to the public or Alleyne’s family.
