Reality TV star Brooke Bailey, of Basketball Wives’ fame, is mourning the loss of her daughter, Kayla Bailey.
Brooke, 45, took to her Instagram on Sunday to share a slideshow of snapshots of her daughter, including a few family photos and some heartbreaking baby pics.
She paid tribute to Kayla in the caption, while revealing the news of the 25-year-old’s tragic death to the public.
“Forever my baby, Pretty Black aka Kayla Nicole Bailey,” Brooke wrote. “This is not a goodbye. Mommy will see you soon.”
Brooke also changed the bio in her Instagram, adding another tribute to her daughter, writing, “FOREVER 💜🕊Kayla Nicole Bailey 3/2/97-9/25/22 #PrettyBlack.”
Kayla’s cause of death was not revealed, but many are saying she may have passed away from complications brought on by a recent car crash. Brooke seems to confirm this theory when she reposted an article from a “Basketball Wives” fan account that claimed Kayla died following a car accident on Sunday in Memphis.
“Kayla left a mark on so many lives,” Brooke said Sunday. “She entered the room and demanded respect, love and attention.”
“If you had the pleasure of meeting her and being friends with her, she has forever changed your life.”
According to her social media Kayla was a certified hairstylist who ran her business in Memphis, TN.
Fans and fellow celebrities proceeded to offer well wishes within her comment section, with fellow Basketball Wives alum Jennifer Williams writing, “Love you Brooke, condolences ??.”
Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Porsha Williams added, “Jesus?? I’m praying for you ! Sorry for your loss.” Actress/ Love & Hip Hop star Erika Pinkett offered, “I’m so sorry queen ?????? May God cover you and give you the strength needed during this trying time. ????????❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Fellow Love & Hip-Hop star Tammy Rivera also chimed in to share her condolences.
“Omg beautiful I’m sooooo sorry!” Rivera wrote. “My prayers are with you. I’m lifting your name high tonight in prayer 🙏🏽😔”
Brooke later added she had been fasting and praying in preparation for something and didn’t anticipate it being her daughter’s death.
“Our God! Our God, is so Faithful. I have been fasting and praying for days. I thought it was for something else. It was God preparing me for this moment in my life. Although, I was not prepared. I am grateful for the 25 years he Blessed me to have HIS child. To love her, to hold her, to teach her, to comfort her. She was my happiness on earth,” the reality star wrote.
As news of this tragic death spread, more fans, family and friends began to share their sadness.
“This is beyond heartbreaking. I can’t believe this. Kayla was only 25 years old. Lord I just don’t know what to say, every day we are losing our young people,” one person wrote.
That fan could be referring to the number of high-profile deaths of young people in the last six months. From the beautiful celebrity fitness trainer, Raven Jackson who was only 24, to the son of award-winning actress Regina King, Ian Alexander, who died when he was only 26, each young person’s death was heartbreaking.
Brooke was married to former basketball player Ronnie Holland. They tied the knot at a high-profile ceremony in 2014, which was followed by multiple snapshots being shared online by the Basketball Wives star.
They renewed their vows in 2016. But following their split, Brooke told The Jasmine Brand:
“The next person that’s with me, like if you eff with me, you’re stuck with me. That’s it. The first time I got married I was like 20 and the second time I got married, I knew I should not have been marrying him but I was like, “I’m going to do it for my kids”, which was the wrong decision. I did that and it didn’t work out but I knew that when I was getting myself into it that it wasn’t the right thing to do and I was in my early 20’s then too.”
We send our condolences to the Bailey family and pray for comfort during this time.