RIHANNA’S beloved cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly at the age of 28 just days after the singer gave birth.
The star’s heartbreak also comes just six years after Tanella’s brother Tavon was shot dead hours after the siblings spent Christmas Day with her.
Tanella’s twin sister Taneisha also died more than a decade ago at the age of 14.
Fashion lover Tanella, who had almost 55,000 Instagram followers, was often pictured beaming with her cousin Rihanna.
Her death came just days after the Diamonds singer gave birth to her baby boy – her second with rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky.
Friends, loved ones and fans have taken to social media to share emotional tributes to Tanella – who they affectionately called TT or Nella.
One wrote: “You will be missed by so many!
“You were beautiful and kind and gave the best hugs but most of all I’ll miss your smile. RIP Tanella.”
Another said: “Don’t be true sis! We was just talking a week ago!”
A third commented: “My beautiful friend! And cousin (between us) stay sweet and fly high beloved. Enjoy your peace.”
Tanella died on August 13 and on Monday her loved ones gathered at Barbados’ St George Parish Church for her funeral.
Meanwhile, Tanella’s former school The Graydon Sealy Secondary School honoured her and another ex-pupil in a post on Facebook.
It read: “The management and staff of The Graydon Sealy Secondary School are sad to announce the passing of former students Tanella Alleyne & Kamal Goodridge.
“We extend sincere condolences to their family, friends, and colleagues.
“May their souls rest in peace.”
It comes less than six years after her brother Tavon, also Rihanna’s cousin, was shot dead.
Tavon was walking through the Eden Lodge area of St Michael’s, Barbados, when a gunman shot him several times just before 7pm on Boxing Day 2017.
He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.
The killer fled the scene and has never been found or identified.
Speaking after his death, Tanella said her brother “didn’t deserve to die”.
She said: “My brother wasn’t a saint, but that doesn’t mean he deserved to be murdered.”
Tanella said that she’d just seen him five hours earlier when they were celebrating their first Christmas as a family together.
She said: “We lost our mother at seven, and our dad was never playing his part.
“Then everyone separated, we never lived together until recently.
“This was our first Christmas together, the first time we’ve ever lived together.”
The next day she was relaxing with her boyfriend when she heard gunshots.
In a tribute on social media, Tanella wrote: “I love you Tavon I would have gone to the end of the earth for you, I was always there regardless to our disagreements.
“I feel comfort knowing that you would be with mum and Taneisha.”
On the fourth year anniversary of his death, nine-time Grammy winner Rihanna paid tribute to her late cousin on Instagram.
The Umbrella singer, 35, uploaded a series of photos of the two of them, captioning the post: “miss you and dat smile cuz. #Tavon.”
At the time of his death, Rihanna shared a post in his honour and called for an end to gun violence.
She wrote: “RIP cousin… can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!!
“Love you always man! #endgunviolence.”
Rihanna was pictured breaking down in tears at Tavon’s funeral as she shielded her grief behind a pair of white shades.
The tearful mum laid a heart-shaped wreath at the grave after a service at St George Parish Church in Barbados – just a short distance from where Tavon was killed.
