LOVE AFTER LOCKUP Antoine’s mom Kristi passed away

Love After Lockup’s Antoine Whitaker shared the sad news that his mother, Kristi Whitaker, has passed away. Kristi appeared on the show multiple times, including a scene with Antoine in which she revealed that she had stage 4 liver disease.

Antoine shared the news of Kristi’s passing on Facebook earlier today. Here is Antoine’s full post:

I will forever love you mom. You meant the world to me. I promise. I hope you’re in a better place, no longer hurting. You deserve the best of everything.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better son and not have been away so many years in prison. Cuz those are all years I missed out on being out in the real world with you. But I always loved you so very much. Always had your back, no matter what.

I hope to see you again sooon some day. I will always miss you so much it hurts. Just wish you wouldn’t have left me so soon:( I need you in my life:/ I don’t know what to do :/

Kristi talked about her health issues when she reunited with Antoine for the first time after his release from prison, as featured on Love After Lockup. She told Antoine that she had stage 4 cirrhosis and that the condition was non-reversible. (I believe she meant that she had stage 4 liver disease — stage 3 is cirrhosis. Stage 4 is liver failure.)

Kristi said that her only hope was to have a liver transplant, but to get on the waiting list she had to be sober for six months. But, once she got on the waiting list, it would likely be a very long time — potentially years — before she would actually receive the transplant.

“It’s messed up to say, but I just don’t think my mom will be able stay sober enough to get the transplant,” Antoine said in a confessional. “Alcohol has just taken over her life, and there’s nothing I can really do.”

I couldn’t confirm how old Kristi was when she died, but multiple online sources indicate that she was in her mid-40s. Antoine’s pregnant girlfriend Lacey is 39, and she was close friends with Kristi before dating Antoine, so those ages would seem to match.

Speaking of Lacey, there is no indication that she has given birth. She revealed on Instagram last month that she is due in November and they plan to name their baby girl Antoinette. When asked how Kristi felt about the pregnancy, Lacey wrote: “She’s super, super excited and happy to be a gramma.” 💔

Our thoughts are with Antoine as well as Kristi’s friends and family. We will update the article if more information is provided.

UPDATE – Lacey has started a GoFundMe to help pay for Kristi’s funeral costs. “Rest In Peace Beautiful Kristi,” Lacey wrote on Instagram.” We appreciate everyone’s condolences. This is a really hard time such a big loss. For anyone who would like to help, link is in bio.”

A link to the campaign was also shared on Antoine’s Facebook page. “For those of you who have reached out and wanted to help,” the caption reads. “Anything is appreciated. Thank you for all the condolences.”

The campaign has a $5,000 goal and includes this description:

At this difficult time Antoine and Sadie and kids would like to have a beautiful send off for their Mommy. This is for anyone that would like to contribute to help make an amazing send off and to cover things that need to be taken care of at this time of loss.

UPDATE – Another message about Kristi’s passing from Lacey’s Facebook:

My heart is so heavy and sad. So many thoughts. Life can change in a matter of minutes.

Kristi Whitaker when we met, we almost instantly became friends you were always so sweet, always giving compliments always down to listen and give advice and ALWAYS talking about your kids. I love you! I love how you were always an open book no matter what, you showed me that it’s ok to be human and talk about things that we aren’t always proud of. You were definitely a free spirit.

You always would tell me what a good woman I am. Once I became pregnant you told me “I couldn’t have picked a better baby mom for my son”. That’s always stuck in my head and in my heart.

You always showed how important your kids and you mommy were to you. Always sending me pics of family events or even proud moments you felt about your family. I will always be good to your son, that’s a promise and I will always be here for your entire family. You have done an amazing job at teaching them how to be kind people. Every single one of your children are so sweet, respectful and kind and I know they will forever represent you.

I just wish Antoinette would get to know her gramma 😞 I know you are in such a beautiful place now with your brother and your dad. But damn, this is a tough one for us who will miss you so much. I love you so much sister. We will always talk about you to your first born Grandbaby❤️ she will know about her Gramma Kristi❤️. We are family forever now – Rest Peacefully beautiful

Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com