Yesterday, the world learned that 16 and Pregnant star Valerie Fairman passed away.
She was 23 years old.
Sadly, few were surprised by the news that Fairman overdosed, as her struggles with substance abuse were well-documented over the years.
Fairman leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter named Nevaeh, who was thankfully not with her at the time of her death.
It seems that Valerie’s mother, Janice Fairman, had assumed custody of Nevaeh in order to provide a more stable environment for the young girl.
Today, Janice opened up about the family’s grieving process and offered an update on her granddaughter:
“We’re going to do a memorial, but we don’t know when yet because the body hasn’t even been released,” Fairman tells E! News.
“I have her child [Naveah], I’ve had custody of her. She’s doing very well.
Janice adds:
“She wanted to go to school because of the parties today so I let her go to school, and the counselor said she’s doing very well. She talked to her twice. She’s surrounded by support and friends.”
Earlier today, Us Weekly published an interview with Fairman’s ex-boyfriend, who says that her family had reason to hope that she had beaten her opioid addiction in the final months of her life.
“She was trying so hard. It’s a lifelong problem,” said David Pryce.
“I wish that I could have done more for her, that’s basically how I feel.
Several of Fairman’s former 16 and Pregnant colleagues offered their condolences to the troubled young mother on social media:
An MTV spokesperson issued a statement on Valerie’s passing today:
“We are saddened by the news of Valerie Fairman’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time,” the network says.
Fans have requested that MTV re-air Valerie’s season of 16 and Pregnant both to pay tribute and to serve as a cautionary tale to other teens who may be experimenting with drugs.
Thus far, the network has yet to respond to those requests.
Our deepest condolences go out to Valerie’s loved ones.