Actress and producer Octavia Spencer shared the tragic news of her nephew’s death Tuesday night in an Instagram post, according to TODAY.
This week, Octavia Spencer and her family are mourning the death of her sister’s only child.
The actress, known for her role in The Help and Hidden Figures, announced her nephew’s death under a photo of a vase full of pink flowers.
The heartbreaking post reads: “Grief. You wouldn’t know it by this picture that today was the second worst day of my life. My family lost the first of the next generation of us, and we’re gutted. Grief is the most terrifying of emotions because I can’t laugh my way out of it. I have to feel.”
Octavia Spencer continues, saying, “Right now, I’m feeling for my sister who lost her only son. Her only child. If you’re praying people, pray for her and my brother and law.”
Spencer then went on to request those reading her post to respect her and her family’s privacy, writing,”I also ask for privacy as we deal with this tremendous loss.”
Spencer did not provide more details, nor did she mention the cause of her nephew’s death.
According to PEOPLE, this sad news comes just days after Spencer celebrated her 52nd birthday, on which she reflected on the Uvalde shooting, calling it “emblematic of a greater problem in this nation: apathy.”
“We’ve become desensitized to the evil genie that is gun violence,” Spencer added at the time. “The genie is out of the bottle but it can be stopped. How? Well, we have to take its power!! A genie with no magic is just a puff of smoke.”
“Change the damn gun laws. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost family members this week,” Spencer concluded.
