Overview

• Kelly, a devoted New Kids on the Block fan who formed a close bond with Wahlberg and McCarthy, died on August 2 after sustaining fatal injuries in an accident, though details of the crash remain undisclosed.
• Wahlberg described Kelly as his “Blockhead sister” in an Instagram tribute that praised her zest for life and spontaneous travel to concerts and landmarks.
• McCarthy shared a moving tribute and promised to look after Kelly’s eldest daughter, Keira.
• Wahlberg and McCarthy collectively pledged ongoing care for both of Kelly’s daughters, Keira and Laura.
• Their public mourning highlights the depth of modern fan-celebrity bonds and communal grief within the New Kids on the Block community.