Last week, we reported that the 1980s music video and movie star Tawny Kitaen had suddenly passed away at the age of 59. Though no cause of death has been reported yet, Tawny’s brother is speaking out to reveal what he thinks led to her death.
Jordan Kitaen told TMZ that he believes his sister died of a broken heart in the wake of the recent death of their father, who died on April 12 “after a long batter with skin cancer.” Jordan said that Tawny was “devastated” by their dad’s death, and that it ultimately was too much for her to bear. He explained that the father and daughter had an “uncanny connection” and were incredibly close.
When Tawny passed away, their dad’s funeral was just days away, and he was laid to rest last Monday in San Diego, California. Jordan also said that police have said that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in Tawny’s death, and that there are also no signs that she took her own life. He added that he spoke to her the night before her death, and that she was “excited” about Mother’s Day plans with her daughters that coming weekend.
Tawny’s death was confirmed by her two daughters, Wynter and Raine, on Instagram.
“We just want to say thank you for all of you, her fans and her friends, for always showing her such support and love. You gave her life everyday,” they said in their statement.
Born in San Diego in 1961, Tawny rose to fame in 1983, when she appeared on the cover of back-to-back albums by heavy metal band RATT, including the band’s self-titled 1983 debut and the triple-platinum “Out of the Cellar” the next year. At the time, she was dating RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby.
Tawny was ultimately best known for appearing in the music video for Whitesnake’s 1987 smash “Here I Go Again,” where she famously danced on top of a car. She was briefly married to Whitesnake’s lead singer, David Coverdale, from 1989 to 1991. Kitaen also acted in films, most notably portraying the girlfriend of Tom Hanks in the 1984 movie Bachelor Party.
Check out her famous “Here I Go Again” music video below.
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