What We Know About The Tragic Deaths Of Mariah Carey's Mother & Sister On The Same Day

Losing a parent is a tragic situation for anyone, but singer Mariah Carey has experienced the unthinkable: her mother, Patricia Carey, and sister, Alison Carey, both died...and tragically, their deaths occurred on the same day. While Mariah's relationships with both her mother and sister were complex, the singer was admittedly shocked and hurt at their untimely deaths. The singer told People in a statement,  "My heart is broken that I've lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day." Mariah also added, "I appreciate everyone's love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time." 

Patricia and Alison's causes of death were not immediately known, which adds a layer of mystery to the already unfortunate situation. In addition to Mariah, the pair leave behind the singer's brother, Morgan Carey, and Mariah's twins, Moroccan and Monroe Cannon. 

Although the singer's statement to People show she's clearly grieving the loss of her relatives, Mariah Carey's relationship with them has always been tumultuous. Over the years, the singer hasn't been shy about addressing the issues she faced with her mother, Patricia Carey and her sister, Alison Carey. In her memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey" (via People), the singer suggests that her mother's dislike of family life was readily apparent. "To be honest, I don't know if my mother ever wanted to get married and have children so young," Mariah shared. Still, she admitted, "I loved her deeply, and, like most kids, I wanted her to be a safe place for me."

These conflicting feelings would complicate any mother-daughter relationship, but the untold truth of Mariah's relationship with her sister is even more laden with contradiction and tragedy. For example, Rolling Stone reported that Alison sued her younger sister for emotional distress in 2021, citing details from the memoir in court documents. The two sisters clearly disagreed on how certain difficult events unfolded in their shared past, and Alison felt that the memoir misrepresented her. 

Unfortunately, Alison and Patricia's deaths leave Mariah to make peace with these complex relationships on her own. We hope she is able to find the closure she needs in the aftermath of their passing.