How Does Criticism Surrounding Celebrity Deaths Illuminate the Nature Of Grief?

Life can present its fair share of challenges and unpredictability, often catching us off guard and leaving us grappling with the impact of death. In particular, the deaths of celebrities due to injury tend to dominate public conversations and receive extensive media coverage.

However, it is essential to recognize that making sweeping assumptions or generalizations about the causes of their demise may not accurately reflect the circumstances faced by the general population.

Cruse.org highlights the profound effect that the death of a famous individual can have on our personal experiences of grief. It may evoke memories of our losses or remind us of someone we have lost who had a connection to the deceased celebrity.

For instance, the recent case of NTV Journalist Rita Tinina is a poignant example. Her untimely death, attributed to pneumonia according to the autopsy conducted on Monday, March 19 2024, came to light when she failed to appear for a scheduled news broadcast.

Similarly, the passing of Brian Chira, a Kenyan content creator and controversial TikToker, garnered significant attention due to the criticisms and praise he received for his boldness. With a substantial social media following, Chira tragically lost his life in a road accident on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

It is worth noting that Chira's fame in the social media space attracted a devoted following of individuals who revelled in negative criticisms. His involvement in a court battle with TikTok sensation Azziad Nasenya, which later resulted in the dropping of the case, further added to the complexities surrounding his image.

According to a report published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery, motor vehicle collisions emerged as the most prevalent cause of injury-related deaths among 389 celebrities. Rappers and politicians exhibited a higher proportion of deaths resulting from interpersonal violence compared to other celebrities.

Notably, gunshot wounds were the most common cause in these groups, accounting for 83% and 63% of deaths, respectively. Rappers and athletes also experienced a relatively younger mean death age than their counterparts. Sport-related deaths were widespread in the realms of boxing and mixed martial arts.

Additional mechanisms contributing to celebrity deaths included aeroplane crashes, animal interactions, and recreational activities.

In the aftermath of the recent deaths, netizens took to social media platforms to criticize other celebrities and friends who offered assistance in burial preparations. Some argued that these individuals were not available when Chira, who may have been grappling with mental illness and breakdown, needed support the most.

The responses to celebrity deaths reveal essential insights into how people form connections with the media they consume. Cognitive psychologist Richard Harris, a professor of psychology at Kansas State University, emphasizes that we lack the social structures and support necessary to grieve the loss of a media character or, more specifically, a content creator or social media sensation.

When individuals express their profound sadness over the demise of a beloved character or the accidental death of a media figure, the reactions they receive may differ significantly from the response to the loss of a grandparent, for instance. This distinction has led to social media postings becoming a therapeutic outlet for devoted fans and supporters.

In times of loss, fellow celebrities turn to social media platforms and other mediums to express their grief and pay tribute to their departed peers or influential individuals.