Overview

• Brian McKnight issued a statement on June 3 criticizing his brother Claude and ex-wife Julie for publicizing Niko’s passing.
• He described Claude’s announcement on TikTok as “tasteless” and accused his family of turning the tragedy into a circus.
• McKnight said he and his family held a private memorial in Maui and offered Niko top oncological care, which he and his mother declined.
• Claude and Julie publicly confirmed Niko’s death on May 30 after his two-year battle with cancer at age 32.
• The singer’s remarks underscore a long-standing estrangement from his eldest children following his 2024 comments labeling them “products of sin.”