‘Painful’ update as mum dies one day after ballerina, 29

Over the weekend, it was announced US ballet star Michaela Mabinty DePrince died aged 29.
Now, in a devastating double tragedy, it has emerged the young dancer’s 77-year-old adoptive mother died less than 24 hours later.
Michaela, who was brought to the United States from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone and known for her performing on some of the world’s biggest stages, died suddenly on Tuesday 10 September, her family said in a statement.
No cause of death was provided.
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The family have since released another statement revealing Michaela’s adoptive mother Elaine DePrince died after a “routine procedure in preparation for a surgery” on the Wednesday September 11.
“The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realise because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaela’s adoptive mother Elaine DePrince,” Jess Volinksi, the family’s spokesperson said in the statement.
According to Volinkski, the two deaths are “completely unrelated” and Elaine was unaware of Michaela’s death before she passed away herself.
“Michaela died before Elaine and Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure,” she wrote.
“As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.”
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“What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful,” she continued.
“Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating.”
The family shared a separate statement to Elaine’s Facebook page to share the news of her passing.
“After many years of battling a hereditary disease and heart failure, we are saddened to bring you this news. Elaine DePrince passed away on September 11th at the age of 77,” the statement read.
In lieu of flowers the family have asked for donations to charity War Child, an organisation which the family says Michaela “was closely involved with for many years” as an ambassador.
“This work meant the world to her and your donations will directly help other children who grew up in an environment of armed conflict,” the statement read.
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