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Rihanna's cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly, at age 28, just six years after her brother was fatally shot on Christmas Day.

Rihanna's cousin dies aged 28: Tanella Alleyne passes away suddenly - six years after her brother Tavon was shot dead The superstar's beloved relative died on Sunday, August 13 Her funeral was held earlier this week at St George Parish Church in Barbados A cause of death was not given, but her mother said doctors saw a 'black mass' after a CT scan, taken ahead of her death By Deirdre Durkan-simonds For Dailymail.com Updated: 17:50 EDT, 1 September 2023 e-mail 1k shares View comments Rihanna ’s cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly, at age 28, just six years after her brother, Tavon, was fatally shot on Boxing Day . The superstar's beloved relative, who had more than 55,000 Instagram followers, tragically lost her twin sister, when they were just 14. On Monday, Alleyne's loved ones filled the St George Parish Church in in Barbados to grieve her death. According to Loop Barbados News , Rihanna's powerful ballad, Lift Me Up, was played during the homegoing service. During the eulogy, Tanella's adoptive mother, Julie-Ann Bryan, remembered Tanella as a woman who 'lived a life of gratitude with an outrageous amount of attitude, sprinkled heavily with confidence.' Gone too soon: Rihanna’s cousin Tanella Alleyne died suddenly, at age 28, just six years after her brother was fatally shot on Christmas Day 'There was something special about Nella,' she told loved ones. 'She was bold and courageous. Our love for each other was lit.' A cause of death was not given, but her mom said doctors saw a 'black mass' after a CT scan, taken ahead of her death. Rihanna, who gave birth to her second child, a baby boy, on August 3, was reportedly 'was seen overcome with emotion' and seen 'dabbing tears away from underneath white sunglasses' as Tavon was laid to rest, according to Metro . Tanella's family and friends wore white to the celebration of her life. In some cultures, wearing white to a funeral or memorial service can represent respect for the deceased and their accomplishments. DailyMail.com has reach outs to Rihanna’s reps for a comment. Following the tragic news, fans of the nine-time Grammy winner and Tanella left tributes under the fashionista's last Instagram post, which she uploaded on June 12. 'This is unbelievable,' one wrote. 'Rip angel.' Another wrote: 'You were such a sweet beautiful Angel Tanella... my condolences to your friends and family.' So young: The superstar's beloved relative, who had more than 55,000 Instagram followers, tragically lost her twin sister, when they were just 14 Close family: According to Loop Barbados News , Rihanna's powerful ballad, Lift Me Up, was played during the homegoing service On Rihanna's birthday in 2017, Tanella called her cousin 'shoulder to lean on, pray partner, mentor and sister. ' 'I still remember the days when you use to take forever to plait my hair for school or even tricking me into thinking that you had powers to unlock a car door with your eyes now I'm older and MUCH WISER I know that it was you playing with the buttons,' she mused. Tanella continued: 'I love you sooo much words can't explain for never leaving me out and always making sure I have a piece of the cake. God has blessed you tremendously over the years I pray he keeps you sane, busy, focused and in good health always. May God overshadow you with favor make you invisible to this demonic world and set you free from any mindset that is not of him.' Full of life: During the eulogy, Tanella's adoptive mother, Julie-Ann Bryan, remembered Tanella as a woman who 'lived a life of gratitude with an outrageous amount of attitude, sprinkled heavily with confidence' Tanella's biological mother died at 27, on March 25, 2003, due to complications of HIV. In 2019, Tanella shared a powerful post on World AIDS Day. 'Her history became my story in other words. As I grew I helped people to shift their focus on their statuses as opposed to checking the statuses of others. Humans are more productive when they become the change they seek,' she said. Tanella went on to state that her story 'is one that has the potential to change lives' and believes her purpose in life 'is to inspire people living with HIV/AIDS.' 'Being the daughter of a deceased HIV lady. I seek to silence myths surrounding the condition, as well as to empower those who have grown to believe themselves powerless,' she continued. 'I see myself being a catalyst of change for people who lack self esteem because they were categorized. I understand it.' Her brother, Tavon, was murdered by a still-unidentified shooter while taking a walk in Lake Close, Eden Lodge, St. Michael on the day after Christmas. He was 21. Unforgettable: Following the tragic news, fans of the nine-time Grammy winner and Tanella left tributes under the fashionista's last Instagram post, which she uploaded on June 12 Tavon had previously spent Christmas with Rihanna and their family in the hours before his death. It was unknown if the singer's relative was targeted or if the shooting wa Read more