Speaker Knockerz, a South Carolina-based rapper, died last week and no foul play was involved, triggering a massive outpouring of support on social media websites.
His mother and father both talked about their deceased 19-year-old son, born Derek McAllister.
Mesha Wilson, a Facebook user who says she is McAllister’s mother, wrote: “Thank you all sooooo much for your outpouring of love and kindness you have shown my family and I during this extremely difficult time. OH MY GOD is all I can say right now — my baby.”
McAllister wasn’t signed to a label but he generated hundreds of thousands of views on his YouTube channel.
According to local station WIS-TV, McAllister was found dead in his garage. Authorities are ruling out foul play and have said that an autopsy on Friday showed no signs of trauma.
The State newspaper reported that a toxicology report has yet to come back.
Unconfirmed rumors indicate that he might have died of a heart attack.
Before his death was reported, his mother and other family members on March 4 said they were looking for him. “It’s not like him not to communicate or come home for this long period of time,” Wilson reportedly wrote at the time. “I pray that my son is ok.”
After his death, #RIPSpeakerKnockerz trended for a time.
On Monday, users on Twitter were still talking about his death, which was reported on Friday morning.
“I still can’t believe speaker knockerz died,” wrote one.
“RIP Speaker Snockerz,” a number of people tweeted.
Wrote another, “No disrespect to Speaker Knockerz may he rest in piece. But I feel like y‘all just hopping on to him like y’all did Lil Snupe when he died.”
“Keep Your Head Up. Derek Is Truly Missed!! Gotta Keep His Music Living,” another wrote.
A Twitter user claiming to be his father and manager also spoke out about McAllister’s death.
“To my Son @SpeakerKnockerz you will never be forgotten! ... Love Dad!” he wrote.
“REST IN PEACE TO MY SON @SpeakerKnockerz he meant the world to me. I love u and will miss you so much. LOVE DAD,” he added.
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