Mariah Carey's mother and sister died on the same day

Mariah Carey has announced that her mother and sister died on the same day in a “tragic turn of events”.

The singer confirmed the deaths in a statement to Billboard on the night of Monday, August 26. The deaths occurred over the weekend, and she did not elaborate on the circumstances that led to their deaths.

Carey said in her statement: “I am heartbroken to have lost my mother this past weekend. Unfortunately, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life the same day. I feel blessed to have been able to spend the last week with my mother before she passed away. I am grateful for everyone's love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time.”

Carey's mother Patricia died at the age of 87, while her sister Alison was 63.

Mariah had spoken openly about her tumultuous relationship with her mother in the past, but the two had maintained their relationship over the years. Mariah wrote about their relationship in her 2020 memoir The meaning of Mariah Carey: “Like many aspects of my life, my journey with my mother was full of contradictions and competing realities. It was never just black and white – it was a whole rainbow of emotions.”

“Our relationship is a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration and disappointment,” Mariah continued in the book. “A complicated love connects my heart to my mother's.”

The 2020 memoir also included a dedication to her mother: “And to Pat, my mother, who, despite everything, I think actually did her best. I will always love you as well as I can.”

Mariah Carey's relationship with her late sister Alison also proved to be complex. In her memoir, she states that as of 2020, it was “emotionally and physically safer for me to have no contact” with her or her brother Morgan.

The deaths of Patricia and Alison Carey came less than a month after fans expressed concern for Mariah after she was seen “crying” during an “uncomfortable” live performance.

During her performance as part of her residency called “The Celebration of Mimi” at Dolby Live in Las Vegas, the pop star appeared to get emotional on stage while singing her 1991 hit “Make It Happen.” Fans have since suggested Mariah take a break to look after her mental well-being.