The tragic story of Tina Turner’s sons | Ents & Arts News

“I am nonetheless looking for out why he did it,” mentioned Tina Turner in 2018.

She was telling Oprah Winfrey about her son Craig’s suicide.

The rock icon was solely 18 when she had Craig in 1958 along with her companion, Raymond Hill, who was a saxophonist with Ike Turner’s band Kings of Rhythm.

Craig was later adopted by Ike after he and Turner married in 1962.

He was the eldest of Turner’s 4 kids, the others being Ronnie, Turner Jr and Michael Turner.

‘I feel Craig was lonely’

In 2018, Craig was found dead aged 59.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Division of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed that Craig was discovered lifeless at his Studio Metropolis dwelling in California from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“I feel Craig was lonely, that is what I feel actually obtained him greater than anything,” Turner instructed CBS Information.

“I’ve photos throughout of him smiling, and I feel I am sensing that he is in an excellent place. I actually do.”

Turner described Craig as an “introverted particular person” and “very shy”.

He was working with a distinguished firm in actual property and was in a relationship.

Turner described Craig’s loss of life as her “saddest second as a mom”.

She tweeted on the time: “On Thursday 19 July 2018, I mentioned my last goodbye to my son, Craig Raymond Turner, after I gathered with household and buddies to scatter his ashes off the coast of California.

“He was 59 when he died so tragically, however he’ll at all times be my child.”

‘I nonetheless do not know what took him to the sting’

It was a loss that Turner felt closely.

“I nonetheless do not know what took him to the sting as a result of, at that stage, he had mentioned to me that he had by no means met a lady that he felt that method about,” she had instructed the BBC.

“He was bringing her to fulfill me [for] his birthday in August. He had adorned his condominium, that I purchased him years in the past. He had obtained a brand new job with a distinguished actual property firm in California, [which] he was very pleased with.

“I don’t know what pulled him down, besides one thing that adopted him was loneliness. I feel it was one thing with being alone,” she added.

She mentioned she did discover a change of their previous couple of conversations.

“The previous few occasions we talked, the conversations had been totally different, and I did not know that till after the suicide.”

In her memoir “My Love Story”, Turner revealed she had struggled with suicidal ideas throughout her abusive relationship with Ike Turner, however mentioned regardless of the darkness on the time, she survived.

“I used to be sad after I awoke,” she wrote in her memoir. “However I got here out of the darkness believing I used to be meant to outlive.”

In 2005, talking to Oprah earlier than Craig’s loss of life, Turner described him as “a really emotional child” who struggled with seeing the abuse she confronted.

“He’d at all times look down in unhappiness,” Turner mentioned.

“Sooner or later when Ike was preventing me, Craig knocked on the door and mentioned, ‘Mom, are you all proper?’ I assumed, ‘Oh, please, do not beat me at dwelling.’ I did not need my kids to listen to.”

‘Beloved son’ Ronnie Turner

Ronnie was Turner’s youngest son and was born in October 1960.

He was additionally a bass participant within the band Manufactured Funk.

He married French Musician Afida Turner in 2007.

Previous to his loss of life, no particular analysis was revealed, however coroners later mentioned he handed on the age of 62 after issues from colon most cancers.

After his loss of life in 2022, Turner paid tribute to her “beloved son”, and on the time, she posted a black and white picture on Instagram.

“Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow, I shut my eyes and consider you, my beloved son,” the singer mentioned within the caption.

His spouse Afrida additionally paid tribute on Instagram and mentioned: “My husband my greatest good friend my child I used to be your mummy, your nurse your little monster.

“I did the very best to the top,” she added.

“That is very very very unhealthy I’m very mad. This can be a tragedy U along with your brother Craig and your father Ike Turner and [Alline.] Relaxation in paradise. So unfair.”

Learn extra:
Tina Turner dies in Switzerland
The trauma and triumph of a music legend
Tina Turner in pictures

After her marriage to Ike, the Proud Mary singer adopted his two kids, Ike Jr and Michael, in 1960.

Ike Jr was born in 1958 to his dad and mom Ike and Lorraine Taylor, and in response to reviews, he was additionally a musician similar to his father.

Michael was born in 1959, however has kept away from being within the highlight.

After Turner cut up with Ike, she had little contact with Ike Jr and Michael.

Anybody feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for assistance on 08457 90 90 90 or e mail [email protected] within the UK. Within the US name the Samaritans department in your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK.