Brian McKnight slams his family members over estranged son Niko's death: ‘May God have mercy on your soul'
After Niko died from cancer at age 32 last week, Brian, 55, released a statement on Instagram Tuesday where he bashed his brother, Claude, and his ex-wife and Niko's mom, Julie, who both shared the news of Niko's passing on social media.
11 Brian McKnight in an Instagram video.
brianmcknight23/Instagram
'A big big thanks to Claude Mcknight's tasteless and self aggrandizing announcement on TikTok, that frankly was not his to make, in my opinion, he inserted himself and used Niko's death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity,' said Brian.
'It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama,' he added.
11 Niko McKnight.
Claude McKnight/Facebook
11 Brian McKnight's son Niko died of cancer at age 32.
The 'Back at One' singer said that after Niko died, he and his family flew to Maui 'and had a private memorial remembering him, and all the good times.'
'The last time he and I spoke, we offered him all the help we could provide, we had the number one oncologist on deck for him and a team of specialists on standby with private care in our home,' Brian claimed of his son, adding, 'He and his mother declined. The door of communication was open and remained open until his death.'
11 Brian McKnight with Julie McKnight at the 2001 Grammy Awards.
Corbis via Getty Images
Brian then went after Julie, writing, 'To the self proclaimed 'mama bear' may God have mercy on your soul for not allowing him to accept that help and not allowing him to use that line of communication.'
'There is great comfort in knowing God knows the TRUTH and the totality of the WHOLE story,' Brian said. 'I am truly thankful for the immense peace God has given me. I've left everything in HIS hands. I, have a clear conscience. The only judgement that matters is God's.'
11 Brian McKnight with his family at the 27th American Music Awards in 2000.
Corbis via Getty Images
The music star added, 'My wife, our children and I are eternally thankful to Almighty God that the suffering has come to an end and grateful for all of your condolences. Thanks to those of you have known The truth from the beginning and haven't let untruths, half truths or slander, prejudice your opinion.'
On May 30, both Claude and Julie announced in separate social media posts that Niko died after a two-year battle with cancer.
11 Niko McKnight takes a mirror selfie.
Claude also addressed the 'family drama' in his TikTok video, telling fans, 'I don't know exactly what was going on there. I know what I've seen. I know what I've heard from all parties involved and I try not to judge.'
'I just try to be as loving to each person as I can be because apparently there's so much hurt going on — or was so much hurt going on that a lot of things didn't get resolved,' Claude added.
11 Claude McKnight in a selfie.
Claude McKnight/Facebook
11 Brian McKnight's brother Claude.
Claude McKnight/Facebook
A source recently told Page Six that Brian 'did not contact or see Niko' before the 32-year-old died.
The insider added that Niko 'was surrounded by an abundance of love and support from those who truly mattered,' including his mother, his older brother, Brian McKnight Jr., his wife, Carla, and other extended family members.
Brian has seven children, including one biological child and two stepkids with his wife, Leilani Mendoza. He's been estranged from his four eldest kids — including Niko — and even called them a 'product of sin' in April 2024.
11 Julie McKnight with her sons Niko and Brian Jr.
Instagram/itsjuliemcknight
11 Brian McKnight with his wife Leilani.
brianmcknight23/Instagram
'In order to live a life that you love, you have to get rid of the evil and the negativity — even if that evil and negativity is related [to you],' he said last year in an Instagram video.
Niko slammed his father's comments at the time, and said on behalf of his siblings, 'They don't deserve this outright disrespect. Hate us all day. You don't get to be a piece of s–t forever and still skate by with all that we know.'
11 Brian and Niko McKnight.
Instagram/itsjuliemcknight
Niko revealed his cancer diagnosis in January 2024.
'Your boy got the big C,' he wrote on Instagram at the time. 'it's beeen one hell of a ride so far but things are looking better now than they were before so cheers to that.'
Niko added: 'Let's keep this momentum going and keep one prayer in the chamber for me yall. sh-ts gonna get better, i know it.'
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