Brenda Edwards has spoken out to admit she's been in 'a state of shock' after finding out that son Jamal died after taking recreational drugs.
The entertainment world was rocked by the news that broke on February 21 that Jamal, founder of SBTV, had passed away suddenly at home at the age of just 31. In her statement about his death, mum Brenda wrote: "It is with deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness."
She added: "Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world."
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Days after Jamal's passing, Brenda was filmed singing The Greatest Love of All at a vigil in his honour and then, as she returned to Loose Women for a powerful interview in April, Brenda explained that she was holding Jamal's hand as he went into a cardiac arrest which he sadly never recovered from.
Four months after her son's death, Brenda, who replaced Gemma Collins in Chicago last week, has now opened up on how she is 'still processing,' the cause of his death, while pushing for more awareness on the unpredictability of recreational drugs.
In a statement shared via Twitter, Brenda wrote: "Since I last spoke, I have sadly learned that the cause of Jamal's devastating passing was due to cardiac arhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs and I wanted to address this myself to everyone who loved, admired and respected him.
"Since finding out the news I've been in a state of shock and I'm still trying to process it, but it's so important to me that I do address it as no mother or any loved one should have to go through what Jamal's sister Tanisha and I have been through since he passed."
Brenda added: "Jamal had the world at his fingertips - a zest for life and he was unwittingly taken away far too soon. Yet we have to come to terms with what has happened and Jamal is proof that this can happen to anyone.
"These types of substances are extremely unpredictable and we can only hope that this will encourage others to think wisely when faced with similar situations in the future. His passing has shown that one bad decision on any one occasion can lead to devastating consequences."
Since Jamal's passing, Brenda has helped launch the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, helping give young people a safe space to develop their skills. Brenda hopes the Trust will help preserve Jamal's legacy and, ending her statement, she wrote: "In Jamal's own words, 'the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.'
"My beautiful son, you did that and then some."
Brenda was met with huge support online minutes after posting her statement. One of her followers responded: "I’m so sorry you and Tanisha lost Jamal in this way. You speaking out today about the drugs is so important for us all as parents to be more vigilant with our kids and young adults.
"Jamal was and always will be an inspiration to so many. Lots of love to you both."
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