Martine McCutcheon's late brother's fiancée Jay Eaton has spoken out following the tragic news of his death.
Love Actually star Martine, 46, announced her brother, Laurence John, had died "suddenly" and "without medical explanation" at age 31 two weeks ago.
Martine's beloved younger brother LJ, who was 15 years her junior, was due to marry Jay in November before his death.
Following the former EastEnders actress' announcement, LJ's fiancée posted on Instagram to speak out on the tragedy.
As she shared a photo of herself smiling alongside Laurence John, which she shared on his Instagram page, Jay revealed she is taking things "one day at a time".
She wrote in the caption: "Thank you to everyone for your kind words it’s very comforting to read all your messages Lj was my soulmate and we were so happy to be getting married life can be so cruel and we are taking it one day at a time x".
In the comments, followers offered messages of condolence to Jay and the family. One wrote: "I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending love to you. LJ was such a lovely man."
"Thinking of you all xxx," another penned as a third said: "Continued prayers to you and your families".
Martine was due to be a bridesmaid at LJ and Jay's wedding as her brother asked her to fulfil the duty shortly before he died.
She added that the last time she saw him was just days before his death, after he'd been to a suit fitting with her husband Jack McManus.
In her Instagram post, Martine told fans: "I was asked to be bridesmaid and the last time I saw him, was a few days before he passed.
"He, Jack and his future stepson had been to try on their wedding suits and then they came back to have dinner with his fiancée and the family to see our new home. He looked so tanned, tall and handsome. The best I've ever seen him. Ironic really."
Elsewhere in the post, the actress paid tribute to her younger sibling. She penned: "My heart is forever broken…
"My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks ago. He was 31 years old. There is no medical explanation as to why we lost him so soon and whilst we investigate further, we are having to accept that nothing will bring our boy back to us".
Martine's brother tended to keep out of the spotlight, with the actress rarely sharing photos of him on her Instagram.
In her tribute to her beloved brother, Martine explained LJ had "a mild form of special needs" and added: "I always wanted to protect him from the limelight and the characters that could be drawn to him for the wrong reasons.
"He travelled the world, he had parents, sisters, a brother and friends that couldn’t have loved him more!"
