Christina Grimmie’s brother: ‘She was a partner in life’

MANILA, Philippines – Following the death of singer Christina Grimmie, her brother Marcus Grimmie took to Facebook to pay tribute to his younger sister.

Marcus posted his message on Sunday, June 12, a day after Christina succumbed to gunshot wounds following a post-concert attack. Marcus had tackled Christina’s assailant immediately after the shooting, and then the suspect shot himself.

On Facebook, Marcus wrote: “By now I’m sure many you have heard that Christina has passed away due to gunfire after a show. I really don’t have much to say about anything and am just blown away with the prayers and support. I PROMISE I will respond to everyone when I can.

“Christina was more than my sister. She was a partner in life. A superstar. A goofball. Introverted. And a friend to everyone. Genuinely. But above all…she was my baby sister. She loved the Lord and her family and was always there for me and I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without her.”

Marcus then asked those reading the post to send in photos of Christina in the comments section. He ended by saying: “Thank you all so, so much. The support has been crazy and I do feel a peace. I just don’t have any words. I love you all.”

Christina, who started out on YouTube before rising to fame on The Voice, was shot by a man identified as Kevin James Loibl while she was signing autographs after a concert in Orlando, Florida.

The police said Loibl had two handguns and a hunting knife on him at the time of the attack. (READ: Christina Grimmie alleged killer identified)

Various celebrities including The Voice host Carson Daly, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Christina’s mentor Adam Levine, and friends such as Selena Gomez and Sam Tsui paid tribute to her through social media. – Rappler.com