*Kiara Brokenbrough, the Southern California influencer who captured hearts three years ago with her remarkably affordable wedding, has died following complications during childbirth. She was 32.
Kiara’s husband, Joel, confirmed his wife’s death in an April 13 Instagram Story, writing: “My beautiful, God-fearing, worshipping wife has gone home to be in the presence of the Lord.”
The young mother passed away while delivering her son, Jonah, who arrived prematurely ahead of his June due date. The family was in the middle of relocating from West Virginia back to California at the time of her death. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in West Virginia has not yet issued an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether Kiara’s death triggered the early delivery or whether premature birth complications played a role in her passing, according to the New York Post. Jonah remains in the NICU but has been described as making “remarkable progress.”
Kiara first gained widespread attention in 2022 when she documented her budget wedding on TikTok. The couple married at a scenic location off Angeles Crest Highway with a guest list of 30 to 40 people, holding the entire celebration for $500 — a figure that represents a small fraction of what most American couples spend on their weddings. Her $47 Shein wedding dress became the centerpiece of a TikTok video that drew nearly one million views.
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“I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a dress because I had the mindset I’m gonna wear this one time for a few hours,” she said at the time.
Family members contributed decorative items as gifts, including flowers and a ceremonial runner. Joel’s suit cost roughly $100, their priciest purchase was a $200 arch, and guests handled the food and drink tab at the reception.
“Our goal was to just be as minimal as possible,” Kiara told “Good Morning America.” “And to spend the least amount of money as possible.”
Kiara’s mother-in-law launched a GoFundMe to support Joel and the newborn, which has raised $126,000 toward its $150,000 goal. The campaign speaks to the weight of what Joel now faces, stating: “As Joel begins this unimaginable next chapter as a single parent to a preemie in the NICU, and having to deal with the heartache of losing his beloved wife (whom he loves so much), he needs all the support he can get as he tries to navigate life without her.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: A Bride Becomes the Talk of Town after a Successful $500 Wedding | WATCH
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