Family, friends, and fans of Mac Miller are still reeling from the rapper’s sudden death, and as they begin to grieve, his mother paid tribute by sharing a sweet and candid photograph of her late son.
On Saturday, September 8, Karen Meyers took to Instagram to share the photo that shows her with her son at a Pittsburgh Pirates game, both with big smiles on their faces. She did not include a caption, just simply shared a brokenhearted emoji.
The rapper, who was born Malcolm McCormick, was pronounced dead at the age of 26 on Friday, September 7 at his home in Studio City, California after a suspected overdose although an official cause of death has not been revealed.
“Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26,” his family said in a statement, confirming the tragic news. “He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time.”
“All of us at Warner Bros. Records are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Mac Miller’s untimely passing. Mac was a hugely gifted and inspiring artist, with a pioneering spirit and a sense of humor that touched everyone he met,” Tom Corson, co-chairman and COO of Miller’s record company said in a statement.
“Mac’s death is a devastating loss and cuts short a life and a talent of huge potential, where the possibilities felt limitless. We join all of his fans across the globe in extending our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
Before his death, Miller released his fifth and final album Swimming on Aug. 3 and was expected to go on tour in October.
Miller had been open about his battle with drug use throughout his life, and revealed that “things got out of hand” during his Macadelic Tour in 2012. “I was not happy and I was on lean very heavy,” he remarked. “I was so f—ed up all the time it was bad. My friends couldn’t even look at me the same. I was lost.”
After getting sober, Miller also revealed that he wasn’t sticking to a strictly sober lifestyle, saying, “I don’t believe in absolute anything, but I think not sharing that type of information, because it becomes like, ‘Oh he’s sober, oh he’s not, oh he has a beer, oh my God.’ I just realized some things are important to just keep for yourself.”