Singer Mario has spent the past few years under the radar, but every now and then he sets music world on fire with hit singles like “Somebody Else” and “Break Up”. In sad news, the singer took to Instagram late Friday night to share with fans the sad news that his mother recently passed away:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU25vXfgcKT/?hl=en
Details have not been released about Shawntia Hardaway’s death, but Mario has always been open about his mother’s struggle with a heroin addiction even bringing their story to the MTV documentary, I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom in 2007. In the doc, the singer tries to help his mother overcome her drug use.
Their relationship was tumultuous as relationships can be when substance abuse is involved. In October 2010, Mario was charged with second-degree assault after allegedly pushing his mother. He was released from a Baltimore jail after posting $50,000 bond. Shortly after, Hardaway dropped the charges. In response to the event, Mario’s lawyer, Hassan Murphy III, disclosed to CNN:
“Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions.”
In 2011, the mother and son even hosted a charity event for the Mario Do Right Foundation, which works to create a support system for kids who, like Mario, are raised by addicts and recovering addicts. The event raised over $50,000.
Addiction can be a difficult for not just those who are abusing substances, but for their loved ones as well. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding her death, our thoughts are with Mario and his family at this tragic time.
