UPDATE: A rep for Marie Osmond just
released this statement on Marie's behalf: "My family and I are devastated and
in deep shock by the tragic loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone
respect our privacy during this difficult time."MSNBC:
Marie Osmond's teenaged son, Michael Blosil,
has killed himself by leaping to his death around 9 p.m. Friday in Los Angeles,
reports Entertainment Tonight, which quotes Marie's brother, Donny Osmond, as
saying, "Please pray for my sister and her family."
According to ET,
Michael left a note explaining he intended to
end his life after a lengthy battle with severe depression that left him, he
said, feeling as if he had no friends and could never fit in.
In 2007, Michael, then 16, entered a rehab
facility. His mother said at the time, "My son Michael is an amazing young man,
shown through his courage in facing his issues. As his mother, I couldn't be
more proud of him."
The reason for the
visit to rehab was never disclosed. Michael is one of eight children
Osmond has raised with ex-husband Brian
Blosil.
By March 2009, Marie told PEOPLE
that Michael seemed to be turning his life around. He was finishing up his last
year of high school while living with his mom in Las Vegas, where she and Donny
headline a show.
"I couldn't be more
proud of him," Marie said at the time. "He's got a 3.9 GPA in high school. He's
looking at scholarships to some wonderful colleges."
A rep for Donny and Marie Osmond confirmed to PEOPLE that the
show at the Flamingo Hotel was canceled Saturday night. It is being determined
how long the hiatus will remain in effect.
Marie Osmond, one of nine Utah-bred Osmond siblings, began
performing with her brothers at age 3. She has been outspoken about the trials
of her own life in the spotlight.
In her
2001 memoir "Behind the Smile," she detailed her battle with postpartum
depression following the birth of her son Matthew. She also revealed that she
had been sexually abused as a child.
She
did not identify her abusers but said they were not family members.
In 2006, Marie's rep denied that the singer
had tried to commit suicide, attributing reports about Osmond to the postpartum
she suffered.
- LancesMom
on Feb. 27, 2010 at 8:49 PM