Deon Derrico introduced that his nephew Amani Barkley has died.
On Saturday, July 20, the Doubling Down with the Derricos star, 53, shared a publish on Instagram that includes a photograph of what gave the impression to be Amani holding somebody’s hand, together with a prolonged caption about his nephew.
“My household, mates, and followers… It’s with nice unhappiness that I, Deon Derrico, announce the passing of my loving nephew Amani Barkley,” he wrote partially. “Our household is devastated.”
“Amani, as lots of you recognize, was the son of my late brother Christopher S. Turner, and Stacey Dickey,” Deon continued, recounting the second he and his household first met his nephew. “We met Amani simply two years in the past as seen on @tlc’s Doubling Down With The Derricos, and also you guys together with my household fell in love with him and on this quick time we have now constructed a bond with Amani, and merged our households without end!”
Season 4 of the TLC actuality collection — which chronicles Deon and spouse Karen’s challenges as they mother or father 14 kids — adopted the couple as they met Amani for the primary time and even confirmed through a DNA take a look at that Deon and Amani have been certainly uncle and nephew.
The season, which aired in 2023, additionally featured Amani’s journey exploring his relationship along with his late father (Deon’s brother) and confirmed his introduction to Deon’s mom GG, his grandmother, for the primary time.
Within the years since, Amani and the Derricos have seemingly grown even nearer, and the household of 16 have been candid about Amani’s well being struggles. Over the previous a number of months, Deon shared updates about Amani’s struggles with autoimmune hepatitis, which he had been identified with since he was 14 years previous, per a GoFundMe started by the Derricos final month.
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The Mayo Clinic states that the illness is attributable to the immune system attacking the liver, and it can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure.
In keeping with the GoFundMe — which raised extra $17,000 to pay for Amani’s medical payments and help his 1-year-old son, Adonis — the illness required Amani to obtain a liver transplant at age 21.
In June, Amani underwent emergency surgical procedure for one more transplant, his third. Deon shared on the GoFundMe web page earlier this month that his nephew was nonetheless going through vital challenges along with his well being.
“My nephew leaves behind his son Adonis, mom Stacey, and a whole host of different household and mates,” Deon continued in his Instagram publish saying Amani’s demise. “Whereas GG, and I are right here in Detroit for the funeral we can be updating you all with extra particulars.”
Deon additionally requested his Instagram followers to make donations to “The Deon Derrico and Marian Derrico Basis” to “assist different households of liver transplant sufferers and recipients, in addition to most cancers sufferers and recipients.”
“We thanks all on your love and prayers and please know, though Amani, has transitioned over to JESUS, your prayers have been answered as GODs will was performed!” Deon concluded his publish. “We Thank You, Amen.”
