The circumstances surrounding the death of 42-year-old Love & Marriage: Huntsville star Keke Jabbar were recently disclosed by her close friend and YouTuber JoAnn Jenkins. In a YouTube livestream on Wednesday, Jenkins dismissed the speculations about what caused her friend’s death, the New York Post reported.
“Keke did not overdose, Keke did not take her own life. Keke loved life. Keke was not ready to leave life. She wasn’t ready to leave her children, her husband or her family,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins also revealed her deceased friend used to feel sleepy frequently and “go to sleep wherever.” She said Jabbar had decided to sleep after her car developed a fault.
“So, seven-something this morning, her husband goes to the garage,” said Jenkins. “He sees Keke, what he thinks is asleep in the car. He tries to get her attention. He opens [the car] up. She isn’t breathing,” she continued.
“Her husband, her life partner, her best friend tried to bring his wife back, the mother of his children, and he couldn’t. Keke passed from carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s it. That is all,” she said.
Jabbar’s family on Tuesday released a statement to announce her death, and blogger Marcella Speaks read it on their behalf. “It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Keke. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love,” Speaks said in a YouTube livestream.
“She was a mom, a sister, and a great friend full of life, love and laughter. She will be sorely missed and at this time, we are asking for respect and privacy in our moment of grief while we process this great loss. The Jabbar Family and the Scott Family.”
Per Oprah Winfrey’s OWN television network, Love & Marriage: Huntsville is an unscripted TV series that “centers around the lives of three high-powered African-American couples who come together to revitalize the thriving city of Huntsville, Alabama through their joint real estate venture, The Comeback Group.”
The show, broadcast on OWN, is in its eighth season.