Brian McKnight is speaking out about Niko McKnight's death, days after his estranged son passed away.
On Tuesday, June 3, the veteran R&B singer took to Instagram and shared a lengthy statement about Niko's passing. He began by blasting his brother Claude for announcing his son's death in a TikTok video last week. He said Claude "inserted himself and used Niko’s death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity," which turned the situation "into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama."
"While that was unfolding my family and I flew home to Maui and had a private memorial remembering him, and all the good times," McKnight wrote. "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 . He 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."
McKnight's statement came hours after Page Six reported the singer made no effort to contact or visit his son in his final days. A source close to the family told the outlet that Niko was only surrounded by his mother, Julie McKnight, his wife, Carla, his older brother, Brian McKnight Jr., and other family members. In April, McKnight claimed that he and his new wife tried to assist Niko with his treatment after they found out about his diagnosis last year. The singer said he found a treatment center near his home and arranged for Niko and Carla to fly there. However, he alleged his ex-wife, Julie, called him and demanded he stop intervening. In response, Julie called him a liar.
Niko McKnight reportedly passed away after he battled cancer for the past two years. He was only 32. Before his son's passing, Brian McKnight had essentially disowned Niko, his brothers (Brian McKnight, Jr., and Clyde), and his sister Briana after he married his second wife, Leilani Mendoza, in 2017. McKnight once referred to his eldest children as a "product of sin," and claimed Leilani's children as his own. He even legally changed his name to Brian McKnight Sr. after he and Leilani welcomed their newborn son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr.