Natalie Cole's twin sisters Timolin and Casey 'are at a loss for words' after their nephew Robert Yancy was found dead in his San Fernando Valley apartment.
- August 16, 2017
AceShowbiz -
Robert Yancy, the only son of legendary singer Natalie Cole has passed away at 39 years old. Robert's body was found Monday night, August 14 in his San Fernando Valley apartment by a friend who checked up on him after the friend hadn't heard from him in a few days, TMZ reports.
Police told family members that they listed it as death from natural causes, pending the completion of an autopsy and toxicology tests. However, authorities have told the family that Robert likely died of a heart attack and that drugs were not involved.
Natalie's twin sisters Timolin and Casey Cole tell PEOPLE following their nephew's sudden passing, "We are at a loss for words." Timolin adds of Robert, "He was deeply saddened over the loss of his mother. When Natalie died, he lost the most important person in his life. It was very hard for him."
Robert was Natalie and producer Marvin Yancy's only child. The twins say that Robert had been getting his life back in order following the death of his mother from congestive heart failure in 2015. "He bought a new place to live and was super excited about celebrating his 40th birthday on Oct. 14," Casey says. "He didn't go to the doctor much, but he was feeling good. He was so busy with his life that he neglected that part."
Robert's father died of a heart attack at age 34. "His dad died early, too, but Natalie never mentioned concerns over her son's health," Timolin adds of her nephew. "The only comfort we feel now is that Robert is with his mother."
