Lauren Braxton, niece of renowned singer Toni Braxton, died on April 29. The cause of death was “heroin and fentanyl intoxication”, according to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, Maryland. She was 24 years old.
The specific manner in which Lauren died remains “undetermined.”
Law enforcement responding to a 911 call placed at roughly noon on Monday, April 29th, found Lauren unresponsive. Paramedics at the scene declared her dead.
She was the daughter of Toni’s brother, Michael Conrad Braxton Jr. Toni herself was out of country at the time of Lauren’s death, attending the Tobago Jazz Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.
“R.I.P. to my amazing niece Lauren ‘Lo Lo’ Braxton…I’m still in disbelief and so very heartbroken Love you…always auntie ‘Te Te,’” wrote Toni in an Instagram post mourning her niece’s death.
The Braxton Family Posted Tributes Online
Other members of the Braxton clan mourned Lauren’s death.
“God sent me another angel! Rest in Heaven Lauren ‘LoLo’ Braxton,” wrote Trina Braxton in her own tribute post.
The Braxton family shares the spotlight on their television show, Braxton Family Values. Toni, Michael and Trina appear on the show alongside sisters Traci, Towanda and Tamar.
Tamar also posted on Instagram to express sadness at the loss, sharing in a live broadcast that this was the first time she has experienced the death of a family member. The hit came at an especially bad time for Tamar, who is touring while still making appearances on Braxton Family Values.
“I’ve been M.I.A. because I just cannot bring myself to post about my niece. Like, I just can’t do it,” she said in her four-minute Instagram live video. “But what I did want to say is I want to thank everyone for sending their condolences.”
Tamar Braxton Announces She Won’t Attend Lauren’s Funeral
As a result of the emotional stress and her busy schedule, Tamar announced she would not attend Lauren’s funeral service.
“I don’t want my sisters or my family to get upset with me, but the things that’s been going on—this is the first time that anybody in my family has passed. Nobody tell you about going to the damn funeral. I don’t have time going to the funeral,” she continued in the video. “I’m still drained from that… It’s a lot. Everything happens in God’s divine order and you’ve got to respect it and praise him anyway.”
On Lauren’s Instagram account, users and fans have left messages of condolence by the thousands.