Country Music Star Shares Heartbreaking News of Sister's Death
Losing a beloved family member is never easy, and the higher profile a person is, the more difficult and visible their grieving process. Celebrities will often step out of the limelight a bit to deal with matters privately, but there’s still pressure for them to explain why.
Country singer Kalie Shorr started off the new year with a great loss. Her sister, Ashley Rhiannon, died from a heroin overdose.
The 37-year-old single mom leaves behind two children, 9-year-old Chloe and 4-year-old Cameron. They will no doubt feel this loss the most deeply.
Shorr posted on Instagram after getting the terrible news, describing her sister as one of the warmest, friendliest people she knew.
“Yesterday, my beautiful sister Ashley Rhiannon passed away of a heroin overdose,” she wrote. “I don’t even know what to say and I really never thought I would end up here. She was named after the Fleetwood Mac song, which is based on the old Welsh story of a beautiful goddess named Rhiannon who was captivating, beautiful, and magical.
“Ashley made friends faster than anyone I’ve ever met and could find something in common with you in five seconds flat.
“It’s so hard when you love someone and they are battling addiction because they lose so much of themselves in the process, but I am so thankful for the last conversation I had with her… I really got to tell her how much I loved her and the last words she ever said to me were ‘I am so proud of you’. I’ll never forget that and that’s how I will always remember her.”
Shorr also posted information about resources available to people struggling with similar issues.
While there’s still family ready to take Ashley’s two children in, the financial strain is definitely a concern. “Ashley was a single mom and her kids are being taken in by family,” Shorr later added. “No one was prepared financially to raise two kids. We are all contributing everything we can but if you feel moved to give, the link is in my bio. ?”
The GoFundMe page has already raised $3,750 of the $5,000 goal as of Friday morning, and Shorr promises the funds will go to the kids and to help pay for her sister’s funeral.
“If you have read Ashley’s story and found judgement in your heart, please do your best to understand that addiction is a disease, not a choice,” the page read.
“Nearly every person has been affected by it directly or indirectly, and compassion and support is crucial in the recovery process. We know that Ashley is now watching over us, free of her demons.
“We will never understand why her struggle ended this way, but will spend the rest of our lives trying to help and educate people to prevent other families from having to experience the grief we feel right now.”
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