Naomi Judd, the country music icon who died on April 30 at the age of 75, has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, her daughter, Ashley Judd, revealed on Thursday morning (May 12).
Ashley Judd made an appearance on Good morning america to speak with Diane Sawyer about her mother’s death and how the Judd family has been coping in the weeks since. She said her family wanted to control the flow of information about the death before an autopsy was released.
“He used a gun… my mom used a gun,” Ashley told Sawyer. “So that’s information that we’re very uncomfortable sharing, but please understand that we’re in a position where if we don’t say it, someone else will.”
Ashley said her family delegated her to speak out about her mother’s death in order to shine a light on the illness and light the way for fans who need help.
“My mother knew that she was seen and heard in her distress, and they walked her home,” she said, adding: “When we talk about mental illness, it’s very important to be clear and make the distinction between our loved one and the illness. . It’s very real, and it lies, it’s wild.”
Ashley also said that despite her mother’s impending induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, she was unable to continue dealing with the disease.
“Our mom couldn’t hold out until her peers inducted her into the Hall of Fame,” he said. “That’s the catastrophe level of what was going on inside her, because the barrier between the look they had her in couldn’t penetrate her heart, and the lie that the disease told her was very convincing.” .
Ashley also detailed her mother’s last day.
“It was a mixed day,” he said. “I visit my mom and dad every day when I’m home in Tennessee, so I was home visiting like I do every day. Mom was like, ‘Will you stay with me?’ and I said, ‘Of course I will.’ … I went upstairs to let her know her good friend was there and I found her out. I’m in pain and trauma discovering her.”
In a statement released by Ashley Judd and her sister, Wynonna, immediately after their mother’s death, the two attributed her death to “mental illness.”
“Today, we sisters experienced a tragedy,” the statement said, according to the Associated Press. “We lost our beautiful mother to the illness of mental illness. We are heartbroken. We are navigating deep grief and we know that as we loved her, her public loved her. We are in uncharted territory.”
The day after Naomi Judd’s death, The Judds, a musical duo comprised of Wynonna Judd and her mother, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony.
“I didn’t prepare anything tonight because I knew mom would probably talk more,” Wynonna told the audience during the induction. “I’m going to do this quickly, because my heart is broken and I feel so blessed. It’s a very strange dynamic, to be so broken and blessed…Even though my heart is broken, I will continue to sing, because that’s what we do.” – Reuters
Those who suffer from mental health problems or are contemplating suicide can contact the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim Family, Social and Community Care Center (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) (0111-959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929 or visit Befrienders for a full list of nationwide numbers and hours of operation, or email [email protected]).
Reference-www.thestar.com.my