R&B star August Alsina suffered a devastating loss on Christmas night when his sister Chandra died after battling cancer. The New Orleans native shared a tribute video and a lengthy caption on his Instagram page where he poured out his love for the woman who shared three daughters with his deceased brother Melvin La'Branch III.
"Chandra… @_chachacha My Sister, My friend, life giver to my nieces, my hair magician, my biggest supporter, my number one fan. We lost such a beautiful soul on Christmas Night To the battle with cancer," Alsina wrote. "I am Utterly devastated & Deeply shattered! Not only for myself, but for my 3 little nieces, whom are now robbed of BOTH parents. First they killed Mel, Now Cancer has stolen you."
New Orleans Metro Crime and Court News reported back in 2010 that his 24-year-old brother was shot in the head a block away from his home before later dying at a nearby hospital. La'Branch supported his daughters by working at their family construction company, LaBranch Properties Inc., and was training to become the manager.
The artist, who released his latest song "Like You Love Me" on December 23, described the late mother as a hard-working woman who was determined and confident. He promised to raise the girls as their father to the best of his ability.
"Lord knows I’m still raising myself but I guess it’s officially official…I’m a DAD now & I have 3daughters, & i don’t know the slightest thing about it or where to start but unfortunately I/we know loss too well. Rest In Peace my dearest sweet sister..You made it out of this hell hole. ❤️," he wrote.