I think it’s fair to say that everyone was pretty shocked at the passing of SBTV founder Jamal Edwards a few months ago because he was only 31 years old and now his mother has released a heartbreaking statement where she explains that his death was due to complications arising from recreational drug use.

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Here’s what Brenda Edwards posted on social media earlier today:

Rest In Peace my beautiful baby 💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/SVxd6hJ5iN

— Brenda Edwards (@brenda_edwards) June 7, 2022

Firstly, I wanted to thank each and every one of you who has reached out, sent messages and been there for me and my family since Jamal passed away in February.

We have been so incredibly touched by the outpouring of love and support, and you are all helping us try and get through the unimaginable.

Since I last spoke, I have sadly learned that the cause of Jamal’s devastating passing was due to cardiac arrhythmia caused by having taken recreational drugs and I wanted to address this myself to everyone who loved, admired and respected my son.

Since finding out the news I’ve been in a state of shock, and I’m still trying to process it, but it’s so important to me that I do address it as no mother or any loved one should have to go through what Jamal’s sister, Tanisha, and I have been through since he passed.

Jamal had the world at his fingertips – a zest for life and he was unwittingly taken away far too soon.

Yet we have to come to terms with what has happened, and Jamal is proof that this can happen to anyone.

These types of substances are extremely unpredictable, and we can only hope that this will encourage others to think wisely when faced with similar situations in the future. His passing has shown that any one bad decision on any one occasion can lead to devastating consequences.

It’s so important that we help drive more conversation about the unpredictability of recreational drugs and the impact that they can have. How it takes just one bad reaction to destroy lives. I would do anything to have my son back but that is just not possible so if I can help save one life, then we will have achieved something.”

Jamal and I had one of the strongest mother/son relationships you could imagine. We were best friends and out of his many, many wonderful qualities the one that made me most proud was his mission to help others – he was the most selfless person I knew.

He opened doors to let others walk through and from Jamal’s own experiences in life he just wanted to help people thrive; to live; to connect; to love; to laugh, and most importantly to just be happy.

Jamal inspired so many – working tirelessly to unite and to give a platform to countless people and communities across the UK, and something I know for certain is that the impact he had on those lives will live on. I’m so incredibly proud of everything he achieved over the course of his 31 years; I’m so proud to call him my son.

That’s why, with the recently launched Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, we will continue to not only honour his name but to help those in need, placing a special emphasis on the mental wellbeing of its service users.

The Trust is in place to help provide a sense of community for young people, offering a safe space of their own to help develop their skills and explore who they are.

Through that we will continue to preserve Jamal’s incredible legacy by continuing the positive change he had on the lives of so many.

In Jamal’s own words – ‘the goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will’.

Jesus that’s sad isn’t it? Must be absolutely awful for anyone to learn that a family member has died from doing drugs because it’s just so avoidable. I suppose you never know how your body might react to consuming narcotics, but it’s also crazy that even famous/rich people can’t get dealers that are 100% reliable and aren’t going to give them stuff that could end up in a cardiac arrest. Be careful out there.

RIP Jamal. Thoughts with Brenda and her family and anyone that knew the guy. Was a downright legend.

For more of the same, check out this guide to help you taking psychedelic drugs. Don’t say we don’t ever publish anything useful.