When Rihanna informed her 59 million Instagram followers that her cousin, Tavon Alleyne, had been shot and killed the day after Christmas (12-26-2017), the world mourned with her and felt her pain. At that time, she’d revealed just how close she was to her 21 year old cousin and that she’d just spent Christmas day with him and the rest of her family in their Carribenhometown of Barbados.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdMLSMTDO5i/
Now, ‘Rihanna Diary Official‘ has shared footage of the funeral service, where Tavon was laid to rest. Ri-Ri and her family were dressed in all white as they paid their final respects to Tavon. It was a truly sad sight to see that young brotha go so soon. Here is a brief clip of his homegoing service…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdwWihhgtSd/?taken-by=rihannadiary
In an online post that Rihanna has since taken down, she also paid a final tribute to Tavon (who went by the name @merka_95 on Instagram). The message read:
“Laid to rest! Sleep well buddy…we are at peace knowing you are in a better place than we are. We will always have a void without you, but we will never stop loving you. Hope you were happy with your going away celebration today.”
Leading up to Tavon’s funeral service, Rihanna posted several other tributes and moments with her cousin and family. On December 27th, she and her family drank shots in memory of her cousin, as you can see below…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdOoN6nlYwX/
Rihanna also posted the below video of her cousin and reminded everyone to “be grateful for your life man.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdNg4s8D0j5/
ILOSM fam,’ this is sadly another reminder that life is unpredictable and way too short. Let’s all try to remember to take heed to Rihanna’s message and “be grateful.” Grateful for every breathe, every mistake, every opportunity wake up and right our wrongs, every new day to strive to reach a new goal, or become better versions of ourselves than we were yesterday, because we never know when our last breathe will be.
R.I.P. to Tavon Alleyne. #StopTheGunViolence
