*Renowned R&B artist Brian McKnight had no communication with his son, Cole ‘Niko’ McKnight, before Niko’s death from cancer at age 32, according to a source close to the family.
“He did not contact or see Niko,” the insider shared with Page Six, emphasizing that the “Back at One” singer remained distant during Niko’s final days. Despite this, Niko was enveloped in love from those closest to him, including his mother, Julie McKnight, his brother, Brian McKnight Jr., his wife, Carla, and extended family members. “He was not alone, and he was deeply cherished every step of the way,” the source affirmed.
Niko’s passing was announced by his mother, Julie, 53, via Instagram on Friday, marking the loss of her son after a two-year battle with cancer. In a heartfelt post alongside a photo of herself with Niko and Brian Jr., she wrote, “Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him.”
Julie celebrated Niko’s talents as a self-taught musician and photographer, noting, “His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and all those who held him dear,” while requesting privacy during this time of grief.
The strained dynamic between McKnight and his older children, including Niko, Brian Jr., Briana (from his relationship with Patricia Driver), and Clyde (from another relationship), has been public for years. In 2019, the 55-year-old singer labeled his children “entitled.” His remarks escalated in 2023 when he declared on Instagram that he had legally changed his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. to align with his newborn son with his current wife, Leilani Mendoza, despite already being a senior to his eldest son, Brian Jr.
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In 2024, during an Instagram Q&A, McKnight referred to his older children as “products of sin,” stating, “In order to live a life that you love, you have to get rid of the evil and the negativity — even if that evil and negativity is related [to you].” When a fan challenged this stance as contrary to biblical teachings, McKnight responded, “1. God wasn’t talking about children that are the product of sin which these are 2. I didn’t raise them their mothers did 3. Know the whole story before quoting the Bible 4. Take your inaccurate negativity off my page and try being happy.”
Niko publicly rebuked his father’s comments in The Shade Room’s comments, “I’m evil. That’s wild: The guy who used to make me clean his used condoms out his bathroom at 15 before Lisa got home is calling me evil Fashoooooo.” He further accused Brian of forging signatures, adding, “The guy who forged [signatures] on our names is evil fashoooooooo.”
McKnight previously claimed in an Instagram video that he and Mendoza had arranged for Niko’s medical treatment, including securing a spot at a facility near their home. However, he alleged that Julie intervened with a “hostile” call, demanding that he cease assistance. Julie refuted this, telling Page Six, “This is, once again, a response to bait myself & my family into his false narrative. He is a liar.”
Since marrying Mendoza in 2017, McKnight has embraced her children, Julie and Jack, from a prior relationship, and their son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., born in 2023, referring to them as his only children. In a social media exchange, when asked about his biological daughter Briana, McKnight praised his stepdaughter Julia, citing her adherence to Exodus 20:12: “Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days be long upon the land.” He added, “She feels great… she knows how proud of her we are.”
In 1990, Brian and Julie exchanged but their marriage faced challenges as his burgeoning music career strained their bond, leading to two reported separations. Despite efforts to reconcile, the couple ended their 13-year union with a divorce in 2003.
Last year, Julie addressed his ongoing negative remarks in a statement online, “The point of every negative situation… is to only keep you down to where they thought they had you because they were the author of an extremely abusive situation emotionally, mentally.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Niko McKnight: Estranged Son of Brian McKnight Passes Away from Cancer Amid Ongoing Family Feud | VIDEO
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