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Rihanna Shares Heartfelt Message For Funeral Of Cousin, Who Was Shot To Death In Barbados

Rihanna sends her love to her slain cousin: "Sleep well buddy. We are at peace."

By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

Rihanna shared a heartfelt message on social media for the memory of her slain cousin. As Vibe reports, the superstar attended the funeral of 21-year-old Travon Kaiseen Alleyne in her native Barbados. “Sleep well buddy..we are at peace knowing you’re in a better place than we are. We will always have a void without you, but we will never stop loving you,” she wrote in a caption on Instagram Stories. “Hope you were happy with your going away celebration today.”

Rihanna posted a photo of Alleyne's casket adorned with flowers on her Instagram Stories along with her condolences. Some media outlets, including The Blast, and fan sites have also posted candids from the event. Out of respect for the victim and Rihanna's family, images from the ceremony have not been shared here.

As previously reported, Alleyne was shot and killed in Barbados while walking near his neighborhood on December 26. He was apparently approached by a man who shot him multiple times, according to Billboard. The shooter fled the scene. Alleyne was then taken to the hospital where he died, reported CBS News.

Rihanna shared her sadness on social media at the time. "RIP cousin... can't believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms!" she posted on Instagram. "Never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man!" In her post, Rihanna also called for an end to gun violence with the hashtag “#endgunviolence.” 

Per Alleyne's social media posts, he and the singer were extremely close.

Last week, a man was arrested in connection to Alleyne's shooting. A 23-year-old man, Shawayne Dashawn Williams, was charged in the holiday murder according to the Jamaican ObserverIt is unclear what the connection is between the victim and alleged shooter. He was not required to plead at the time of his court apperance  before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court and a motive has not been publicly shared at this time. Williams remains incarcerated following that court appearance. His next court date is slated for January 31.

[Photo: Getty Images]

 

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