Caroline Flack’s brother, Paul Flack, has died six years after the former Love Island presenter took her own life.
Flack, 55, was found unresponsive at his home on Sandringham Road in Norwich on June 21.
He was taken to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he later died.
A provisional post-mortem determined the cause of death as cardiac arrest due to hanging.
An inquest into his death was opened at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Monday. Coroner Yvonne Blake said further investigation is needed before the full circumstances of Flack’s death can be confirmed.
The hearing was brief and has been adjourned until October 23 while additional evidence is gathered.
Flack, who worked as an artist and graphic designer, is survived by his partner and two children.
Following his sister’s death in 2020, he shared an emotional tribute to his sibling on Instagram alongside a childhood photo.
He wrote: “This will be my last post here. May those who know feel shame for eternity. Love you Caroline.”
The post remains the final message shared on his account.
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A statement from her family reads: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
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Throughout her career, the TV and radio star has also fronted The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp.
The tragic news comes after the star stepped down from presenting the first-ever winter series of Love Island following assault charges after a row with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Flack last appeared in court in December where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. She had been on bail and awaiting the trial to begin on March 4.
Burton, a 27-year-old model, recently denied the prosecution and denied rumors that the pair had split up, declaring his love for Caroline on Instagram yesterday as they spent Valentine's Day apart.
Lewis posted a picture of the pair of them to his Instagram Stories, along with the caption: "Happy valentines [red love heart] Love you [kissing emoji]".
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Following her last court appearance, Flack broke her social media silence on January 30 with a post on Instagram, saying: "Thankfully I know a lot of you will not believe all that you have heard and read following today's court hearing... thank you for your continued support and love... It's going to be a relief when I am able to give my side of the story, when I'm allowed to."
A statement from her family reads: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
Following the tragic news, many celebrities and fans have posted tributes on social media:
Throughout her career, the TV and radio star has also fronted The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp.
The tragic news comes after the star stepped down from presenting the first-ever winter series of Love Island following assault charges after a row with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Flack last appeared in court in December where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. She had been on bail and awaiting the trial to begin on March 4.
Burton, a 27-year-old model, recently denied the prosecution and denied rumors that the pair had split up, declaring his love for Caroline on Instagram yesterday as they spent Valentine's Day apart.
Lewis posted a picture of the pair of them to his Instagram Stories, along with the caption: "Happy valentines [red love heart] Love you [kissing emoji]".
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Following her last court appearance, Flack broke her social media silence on January 30 with a post on Instagram, saying: "Thankfully I know a lot of you will not believe all that you have heard and read following today's court hearing... thank you for your continued support and love... It's going to be a relief when I am able to give my side of the story, when I'm allowed to."
Caroline Flack’s boyfriend Lewis Burton has broken his silence following the tragic death of his girlfriend on Saturday.
The 40-year-old former Love Island presenter was found dead yesterday afternoon (15 February) at her East London home.
A statement from the family read: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
This morning, Flack's boyfriend, a 27-year-old model, and former professional tennis player took to Instagram, posting a photo of the pair on vacation, and wrote:
"My heart is broken we had something so special. I am so lost for words I am in so much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I don’t think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking."
He added: "I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud every day. I love you with all my heart."
The TV star passed away 18 days before she was due to face trial after being charged with assault this past December following an argument with her boyfriend. She had pleaded not guilty of the charge.
Burton had continued to publicly support his girlfriend, and uploaded posts reaching out to her when it emerged that she had been charged with assaulting him.
Following her arrest, Burton wrote the following in defence of his girlfriend on his Instagram stories: "I’m tired of the lies and abuse aimed at my girlfriend. This is not a witch hunt this is someone’s life."
When Flack stepped down from Love Island, she mentioned her boyfriend in her statement:
"And on a really personal level. I have never experienced such kindness and love in my whole life. Not just from friends and family who are always the greatest. ‘But also from total strangers who send messages to me offering to help and understanding… ‘Please know that I see them… And my boyfriend Lewis… I love you x."
Late last month, she broke her social media silence to declare her life is "no longer up for gossip" and said she would be speaking out.
Following the heartbreaking news, Love Island and ITV shared a joint statement, saying: "Everybody at Love Island and ITV are shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. Caroline was a much-loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends."
Laura Whitmore, who took over from Caroline Flack as the new host of Love Island, has broken her silence on her friend's tragic death yesterday.
The Irish presenter broke down in tears as she paid tribute to the 40-year-old TV star during her Radio Five Live show and urged people to realize the devastating impact their words can have on people.
"Be kind, only you are responsible for how you treat others and what you put out in the world," she said. "I've had messages and been harassed for doing my job, and this is where the problem is."
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The TV personality continued: "And I want to use my platform, this platform, to call people out, because it's gone too far," she added. "Your words affect people. To paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell, to trolls hiding behind a keyboard, enough. I'd like to thank BBC and ITV for the support that I've had and those who supported my decision to come in today, as I felt it was the right thing to do."
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"Thank you to my boyfriend, the kindest man I know, and to the whole Love Island family who are in mourning of their colleague and friend and have been a great support over the last few hours," Whitmore said.
"I love you. To everyone, be kind in what you say. I'm going to carry on and get through this show, as that's what Caroline would say to do. Caroline, I am so sad for you and your family. I am angry that you saw this as your only option, as I know how much love and support you had, I'm sorry you didn't know that. I am not sure when but I know I'll see you on the dance floor again. And I hope you are at peace and know that you are loved."
Yesterday, a statement from Flack's family confirmed her death: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
If you or anybody you know is having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to somebody or contact one of the mental health charities below:
Caroline Flack's family have released an unpublished Instagram post she wrote the day before she passed away.
The presenter's mother Chris Flack shared the candid post with the Eastern Daily Press, explaining:
"Carrie sent me this message at the end of January but was told not to post it by advisers but she so wanted to have her little voice heard. So many untruths were out there but this is how she felt and my family and I would like people to read her own words. Carrie was surrounded by love and friends but this was just too much for her. Her friends Molly, Lou, Sam, Liam, and Simon need a very special mention and lots of thanks for trying so hard to keep her safe."
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Chris continued: "Jody her twin sister was there her whole life for her but this time nothing could take away the hurt of such injustice. As Carrie would say: 'In a nasty world just be kind'"
"It was describing how she was feeling and what she had gone through - no more than that. It was not blaming anyone or pointing any fingers. We want people to read it and want it to be shared through the EDP who we really trust and always have done."
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This is the unpublished post:
"For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it's become the normal.
I've been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life - for my whole life. I've accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it's all part of my job. No complaining.
The problem with brushing things under the carpet is .... they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.
On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend ...Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed. I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.
I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident.
I've been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time. But I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident.
The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal. The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore.
I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment. I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.
I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through. I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back. I can't say anymore than that."
The 40-year-old former Love Island presenter was found dead on Saturday (15 February) at her East London home.
A statement from the family read: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
