Brian McKnight has finally broken his silence on the passing of his son, Niko. However, his voiceover video is sparking mixed reactions on social media. That’s because Brian also used the tribute to blast his brother, Claude McKnight, and Niko’s mother, Julie. Claude and Brian McKnight Jr. were the first family members to speak about the death publicly.
RELATED: Prayers Up! Niko McKnight, Estranged Son Of Brian McKnight, Has Reportedly Died After Two-Year Cancer Battle
Brian McKnight Claims He Offered Niko “Help” But Got Rejected
On Tuesday (June 3), Brian McKnight dropped a five-paragraph caption on Instagram about his son’s death. It was a transcription of the words the singer spoke in the accompanying video. The video didn’t show memories with Niko or childhood flicks, but an overhead video of a beach and vacation property. Additionally, one photo showed a “memorial” for Niko, which included his name written in the sand, a bottle of Hennessy, and a green-leaf lei. He tagged his wife, Leilani, in the post too.
In the video and caption, Brian McKnight thanked his brother for his “tasteless and self-aggrandizing announcement” of Niko’s death. Brian said Claude inserted himself as an opportunity rather than let Niko “pass with dignity and respect.”
“It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama,” Brian said and wrote.
Brian added that he and “his family,” meaning Leilani and her/their kids, flew to Maui to hold a “private memorial.” He also claimed that the last time he spoke to Niko, they offered him the “number one oncologist” and specialists, plus an open line of communication.
“[Niko] and his mother declined. The door of communication was open and remained open until his death. 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,” Brian wrote.
Adding, “There is great comfort in knowing God knows the TRUTH and the totality of the WHOLE story. 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 judgment that matters is God’s.”
McKnight said that he, Leilani, and their children are “eternally thankful to Almighty God that the suffering has come to an end.” Swipe below for his full caption and voiceover video.
While Brian McKnight turned off his comment section on the post, on The Shade Room’s IG, over 18,000 reactions poured in. From Brian’s tone in the voiceover to the words used and the family call-outs, click HERE to see how the roomies slammed the tribute.
What Did Claude & Brian McKnight Jr. Say About The Death?
As previously reported, Niko McKnight’s uncle Claude confirmed his death in a TikTok video shared on May 29. The date of the 32-year-old’s passing is still unclear, but it’s known that he was battling cancer for at least the last two years. In his video confirmation, Claude described his nephew as “quirky…curious and ridiculously talented.” The uncle added that Niko was an “amazing” singer and guitar player with a “great” eye for photography. Claude McKnight briefly acknowledged the “family drama,” meaning the estrangement between Niko and his father, Brian McKnight. However, he said he’s tried not to judge and to be “loving” to everyone involved amid the “hurt.”
“I know that kid had a lot inside, a lot eating at him for a long, long, long time. I may have contributed to what happened with him. What I do know is he’s out of pain now, and so I can rejoice in the fact that he no longer has to go through chemo and radiation and everything else, but I just want to uplift that young man,” Claude said, before adding “I love you Niko.”
A few days after Claude’s video, Niko’s brother, Brian McKnight Jr., also spoke out. Brian Jr. shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute that included photos and videos of them together. In his caption, Jr. said his younger brother was his “favorite everything,” and that his death has left him “in a constant state of disbelief.”
“There is no me without you, so living just feels out of whack. The balance is gone, and will never be the same. The entire world feels bleak and dim without you. I was the luckiest big brother in the universe. It almost seemed unfair at times,” Brian Jr. wrote.
