Brian McKnight‘s estranged son, Niko, died from cancer on Thursday (May 29) and the disgraced singer reportedly wasn’t in contact with him prior to his death.
A source close to the family told Page Six that McKnight “has not reached out to the family.”
The anonymous insider revealed, “He did not contact or see Niko.” Despite the lack of efforts on the 55-year-old, the source told the outlet that Niko “was surrounded by an abundance of love and support from those who truly mattered,” like his mother Julie McKnight, older brother Brian McKnight Jr., wife Carla, and other extended family members.
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They noted that “[Niko] was not alone, and he was deeply cherished every step of the way.”
Julie confirmed news of Niko’s death on Friday following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 32.
“Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him. Nikolas was a self taught artist of music and photography. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and all those who held him dear,” the proclaimed Mama Bear captioned under a photo of her and her children before asking for privacy as they “navigate this incredibly difficult time.”
The “Back At One” crooner has had an estranged relationship with his older children for years. In 2019, he called them “entitled.”
In October 2023, he welcomed his son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., with wife Leilani Mendoza and legally changed his name. Just last year, McKnight confessed that he didn’t claim his eldest children — Brian Jr. Niko, Brianna, and Clyde — because to him, they’re the “product of sin.”
Niko bashed his father on social media following the shady remark. “I’m evil. That’s wild: The guy who used to make me clean his used condoms out his bathroom at 15 before Lisa got home is calling me evil Fashoooooo,” he wrote in The Shade Room’s comments.
McKnight also claimed that he tried to help with Niko’s cancer treatments, but accused his ex-wife of making him stop.
“We found out about [Niko’s cancer] … and even though all this nonsense has been going on for years—we jumped into action,” said the singer. He explained that he and Mendoza “miraculously found a treatment facility near our home that put him at the top of the list and then we put down a deposit to secure that place.” However, after an alleged “hostile” phone call from Julie to him, his efforts stoped.
Julie denied such claims, sharing, “This is, once again, a response to bait myself & my family into his false narrative. He is a liar.”
After McKnight and Mendoza wed in December 2017, he only acknowledged the children they share and her older children, Julie and Jack, from a previous relationship.
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