Juice Wrld's family has spoken out for the first time since the rapper’s tragic death on December 8, 2019, just days after his 21 birthday.

The late budding artist’s mother Carmella Wallace, says, 

"We loved Jarad with all of our hearts and cannot believe our time with him has been cut short. As he often addressed in his music and to his fans, Jarad battled with prescription drug dependency. 

Addiction knows no boundaries and its impact goes way beyond the person fighting it. Jarad was a son, brother, grandson, friend and so much more to so many people who wanted more than anything to see him defeat addiction. 

We hope the conversations he started in his music and his legacy will help others win their battles as that is what he wanted more than anything."

Juice Wrld rapped about drugs often which was not to promote using but instead to help those battling addiction.

Carmella ended her statement by thanking Juice's fans, friends, and family for their support during the incredibly difficult time. She said, “We know that Jarad's legacy of love, joy, and emotional honesty will live on."

Also read: Late rapper Juice Wrld’s girlfriend Ally Lotti speaks following his death

On the day of Juice WRLD’s death, he died after a private flight from L.A. to Chicago. According to law enforcement, he swallowed several Percocet pills upon landing after he learned that federal agents were going to search the plane. 

The search on the private plane gave out  70 lbs. of marijuana, some codeine, and 3 handguns.

After the artist experienced a "medical emergency", he was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. on Dec. 8 at 3:14 a.m.

Following his death, a Chicago Police Department spokesperson also released a statement,

"Shortly after arriving in Chicago, he suffered what appears to be some type of medical emergency according to people traveling with him. There were no signs of foul play and all individuals aboard the aircraft are cooperating with CPD and have given all of their information. Currently, we are awaiting the Cook County Medical Examiner on the cause and manner of death."