Toni Braxton’s Niece Died From Heroin, Fentanyl Intoxication At 24

Lauren Braxton, niece of renowned singer Toni Braxton, died of “heroin and fentanyl intoxication” at the age of 24 years old, according to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, Maryland.

The specific manner in which Lauren died remains “undetermined.”

Law enforcement, responding to a 911 call placed at roughly noon on Monday, April 29th, found Lauren unresponsive. Paramedics at the scene declared her dead.

She was the daughter of Toni’s brother, Michael Conrad Braxton Junior. Toni herself was out of country at the time of Lauren’s death, attending the Tobago Jazz Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

“R.I.P. to my amazing niece Lauren “Lo Lo” Braxton…I’m still in disbelief and so very heartbroken Love you…always auntie “Te Te,” wrote Toni in an Instagram post mourning her niece’s death.

The Braxton Family Posted Tributes Online

Other members of the Braxton clan mourned Lauren’s death.

“God sent me another angel! Rest in Heaven Lauren ‘LoLo’ Braxton,” wrote Trina Braxton in her own tribute post.

The Braxton family shares the spotlight on their television show, Braxton Family Values. Toni, Michael, and Trina appear on the show alongside sisters Traci, Towanda, and Tamar.

Tamar also took to Instagram to express sadness at the loss, sharing that this was the first time she has experienced the death of a family member in an Instagram live broadcast. The hit came at an especially bad time for Tamar, who is touring while still making appearances on Braxton Family Values. 

“I’ve been M.I.A. because I just cannot bring myself to post about my niece. Like, I just can’t do it,” she said in her four-minute Instagram live video. “But what I did want to say is I want to thank everyone for sending their condolences.”

As a result of the emotional stress and the busy schedule, Tamar announced she would not attend Lauren’s funeral service.

Tamar Braxton Announces She Won’t Attend Lauren’s Funeral 

“I don’t want my sisters or my family to get upset with me, but the things that’s been going on — this is the first time that anybody in my family has passed. Nobody tell you about going to the damn funeral. I don’t have time going to the funeral,” she continued in the video. “I’m still drained from that… It’s a lot. Everything happens in God’s divine order and you’ve got to respect it and praise him anyway.”

Instagram users did not like Tamar’s reasoning.

“Get..your a— up and go to the funeral for 2 hours then get back in your bed. I’m not hearing this excuse,” wrote one user.

On Lauren’s Instagram account, users and fans have left messages of condolence by the thousands.