'Below Deck Med' Star Malia White Mourns Brother's Death
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00:00 Below deck, Mediterranean star, Malia White,
00:02 is mourning a loss in her family.
00:05 The 33-year-old reality star took to her Instagram
00:08 on October 10th to reveal that her brother, Jay,
00:11 had died following, quote, "a battle with addiction"
00:14 at just 34.
00:16 Penning alongside a carousel of photos,
00:18 "To everyone who knew our brother, Jay,
00:20 "it's with a heavy heart we announce
00:22 "the sad news of his death."
00:24 Thursday, October 5th, Jacef, 34,
00:27 passed away in the middle of the night
00:29 after a battle with addiction.
00:31 "His death is a devastating loss for our family
00:33 "and his friends, but we are grateful
00:36 "for the time we had with him."
00:37 Malia went on to share some of her fondest memories
00:40 of her big brother, adding, "Jay was happiest outdoors,
00:44 "especially with a fishing pole in his hand
00:46 "alongside a riverbank with his dog, Aspen.
00:49 "To those who had the pleasure of knowing Jay,
00:51 "he was truly a kind soul,
00:52 "willing to help anyone at a moment's notice.
00:55 "This is how we'll always remember him."
00:57 The Bravo star concluded the post
00:59 by sharing multiple helplines and resources
01:02 for anyone struggling with addiction.
01:04 Many of Malia's fellow Bravo stars
01:05 sent her and her family well wishes in the comments,
01:08 including Below Deck Med co-star Courtney Veal,
01:12 who wrote, "Malia, I'm so sorry to hear this.
01:15 "Sending so much love to you and your family."
01:18 Her Winter House co-star, Amanda Petula, also penned,
01:21 "Sending you so much love and big hugs.
01:24 "So sorry for your loss."
01:26 And her best friend, Katie Flood, wrote,
01:29 "Rest easy, Jay.
01:30 "I love you, monkey.
01:31 "Always here for you, even when we are oceans apart."
01:35 In addition to her post,
01:36 Malia shared another message on her Instagram story
01:39 and explained why she decided to reveal
01:41 such a personal part of her family life,
01:43 writing over a simple black background,
01:45 "I don't usually share personal things about family,
01:48 "but I hope being open about my brother's struggle
01:50 "will help someone else out there.
01:52 "We adopted Jay into our family at a young age,
01:55 "and this is not the outcome in this life he deserved.
01:58 "To all those sharing with me similar addiction stories,
02:00 "thank you for your vulnerability.
02:02 "My heart is with you and your family."
02:05 (upbeat music)
02:08 (upbeat music)
02:10 (upbeat music)
02:13 (upbeat music)
02:15 (upbeat music)
02:18 (upbeat music)