Jamal Edwards, the music mogul, died of a heart attack after using narcotics, his distraught mother disclosed today.
Brenda Edwards said she was shocked to learn the cause of her only son’s death four months ago, but she wanted his death to ‘help drive more conversation about the unpredictable nature of recreational drugs’.’
After DJing the night before, the music mogul died in February at the age of 31 from a ‘sudden heart attack’ in the Acton house he lived with his mother.
Brenda, a panelist on Loose Women who came fourth in the second series of The X Factor, is mourning Jamal’s loss alongside his sister Tanisha. Ed Sheeran and Stormzy were close friends of the 31-year-old YouTube star.
‘We have been so profoundly affected by the outpouring of love and support, and you are all helping us attempt to get through the unspeakable,’ she said in a statement.
‘I have recently learned that Jamal’s tragic death was caused by cardiac arrhythmia induced by recreational drug usage, and I wanted to personally address this to everyone who loved, admired, and respected my son.’
The singer earlier characterized her son’s death as “sudden and unexpected,” revealing that he “fell into cardiac arrest and then departed with me holding his hand.”
She spoke up as an inquest into his death in West London got underway, hearing that he ‘came home late one evening, following which he became increasingly agitated and suffered a heart arrest.’ On February 20, he passed away.
The case has been put on hold for another eight weeks. Although NHS guidance states that cocaine, amphetamines such as speed, and ecstasy can all have negative consequences on the heart, the hearing did not reveal what substances Jamal had consumed.
‘I’ve been in a state of shock since finding out, and I’m still trying to digest it, but it’s critical that I do so because no mother or loved one should have to go through what Jamal’s sister Tanisha and I have had to go through since he died.’
Drugs are “unpredictable,” she added, adding that “Jamal is proof that this can happen to anyone.”
‘I would give anything to have my son back, but that isn’t possible, so if I can save just one life, we will have accomplished something.’ His death has demonstrated that one bad decision made on any given occasion can have devastating consequences.’
Her son had the “world at his fingertips – a zest for life, and he was unwittingly taken away far too soon,” she said.
‘However, we must accept what has occurred, and Jamal is proof that anything can happen to anyone.’
‘These types of substances are extremely unpredictable,’ she wrote, ‘and we can only hope that this will encourage others to think wisely in the future when confronted with similar situations.’ His death has demonstrated how a single bad decision made on a single occasion can have devastating consequences.
‘It’s critical that we contribute to a greater understanding of the unpredictability of recreational drugs and the impact they can have – how one bad reaction can destroy lives.’
‘I would give anything to have my kid back, but it is simply not feasible, therefore we will have accomplished something if I can help save one life.’
Jamal died on February 20 after suffering a heart attack at his mother’s home in Acton, according to the inquest.
‘He came home late one evening, after which he became increasingly agitated and suffered a cardiac arrest,’ Assistant Coroner Catherine Wood said.
‘Despite treatment, he deteriorated and died on February 20 of this year.’
‘A post-mortem has been carried out, and I have reason to believe the death was not natural.’
The inquest was postponed for eight weeks before being resumed.
Jamal’s death elicited a flood of condolences from friends, fans, and those he influenced.
He bought a £200 camcorder with his Topman pay. He used it to start a YouTube channel that launched the careers of a number of celebrities, including Dizzee Rascal and Skepta.
Fans and loved ones gathered in west London for a candlelit memorial to pay tribute to music mogul Jamal, who died in February.
Mourners lined the streets on Monday evening outside Mr Edwards’ mural on Acton High Street, where he founded the new music platform in 2006. He was credited with helping to catapult a number of UK music talents to popularity, including Ed Sheeran, Dave, and Jessie J.
His relatives told his friends that he was discovered by his mother, who called London Ambulance Service, who despatched two paramedics but were unable to save him.
The Loose Women hosts sobbed live on television as they revealed their anguish over the loss of the DJ, who happened to be Brenda Edwards’ son.
As they described visiting her at her house hours after his death was reported, Charlene White’s voice cracked and Judi Love wiped away tears.
‘Thinking of the family of Jamal Edwards,’ Clarence House tweeted in a tribute from the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
‘His work in music, as well as his work as an ambassador for a new generation, including his work for The Prince’s Trust, was an inspiration to many.’
Hundreds of Edwards’ childhood friends put flowers beneath a mural on a wall in honor of his contributions to the community.
They claimed he had a heart attack in his Acton home, which he shares with his mother.