"My heart is forever broken": Love Actually star shares tragic news
Love Actually actress Martine McCutcheon has shared devastating family news on social media.
The star, who played Hugh Grant's love interest Natalie in the beloved Christmas movie, said her "heart is forever broken" after the sudden death of her brother.
Laurence John, otherwise known as LJ, died just one month before he was due to be married at age 31.
“My baby brother, my gentle giant, sadly passed away, suddenly, 2 weeks ago. He was 31 years old,” McCutcheon wrote on Instagram.
“There is no medical explanation as to why we lost him so soon and, whilst we investigate further, we are having to accept that nothing will bring our boy back to us.”
LJ was 15 years younger than Martine and had a “mild form of special needs”, she explained.
“From the moment I first held him in my arms, I felt so proud and fiercely protective of him,” the actress wrote.
“He was such a character! He made us all laugh and loved nothing more than making a plan, having a great play list, bringing people together and generally having a giggle."
“He hated the thought of a party ending and so was always on to the next thing!"
“With unwavering love, support and a commitment to himself, he took hold of life with both hands and smashed through any expectation we had of him."
“He would genuinely blow us all away at times!”
McCutcheon described her brother as her “anchor” and “radar of what really mattered in life”.
“I always wanted to protect him from the limelight and the characters that could be drawn to him for the wrong reasons,” she wrote.
“My heart aches for all who have lost him. But my heart breaks for our mum, his dad John & his step parents.
“You should never outlive your children.”
McCutcheon concluded by saying, “I’m scared to live without you LJ but I know you will want us to truly live, laugh and love in your memory. I will try I promise.”
Image credits: Universal Pictures / Instagram