Reality-TV personality Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, best known as daughter of Mama June Shannon and sister of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, has died following her battle with cancer. She was 29. Shannon shared the news of her daughter’s death in an Instagram post Sunday.
“With the breaking heart, we are announcing that (Anna) is no longer with us. She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM,” Shannon wrote alongside a family photo. “She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months. She passed away with her family around her…and we will be updating y’all with more information as we get it today. We love y’all and continued prayers and thoughts for our family (during) this difficult time.”
Shannon’s representative Erin Santucci confirmed Cardwell’s death in an email to USA TODAY on Sunday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anna Cardwell, a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend,” WE tv and Thinkfactory Media said in a statement provided by Santucci. “Our sincerest condolences to June, Pumpkin, Alana, Jessica and their family during this difficult time. Anna will be truly missed, but never forgotten, as her light and spirit live on.”
Cardwell was reportedly diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in January, per TMZ. In May, Cardwell gave an Instagram update on her treatment after starting her third round of chemotherapy.
“This (was) yesterday,” Cardwell wrote alongside a selfie with husband Eldridge Toney. “Cracker Barrel was good going down but not up 😂 But overall it’s going good and chemo is working we come to find, so things are looking good.”
Cardwell starred on the TLC reality series “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” from 2012-2014, which centered on the family life of child beauty pageant contestant “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson. Cardwell also appeared on the reality TV show “Toddlers & Tiara,” which Thompson starred on, from 2012-2013.
Thompson also mourned the passing of her sister in an Instagram post Sunday.
“I really don’t know what to say as my heart is completely broken,” Thompson wrote. “Watching my 29-year-old sister this last year battle this horrible disease hasn’t been easy. Anna was a fighter (and) still is.”
She added: “I’m so glad that you waited til i was home to take your last breath! I would’ve loved for you to get to see me graduate college but i know you will forever cheer me on in heaven! We will all make sure your legacy lives on forever. And i promise to always make sure to celebrate your birthday like you never left! The sky looks a little bit different today. We will always love you Anna 💔.”
Cardwell and Thompson joined mother Shannon for her wedding to boyfriend Justin Stroud in February. Cardwell’s siblings Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird and Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon were also in attendance for the oceanside ceremony in Panama City, Florida, as well as Shannon’s grandchildren Stella, Sylus and Bentley Efird.
“This was the first time the family had all been together since 2014,” Mama June said in a statement. “It was really special to get married in a place where my family and I have had so many memories.”
Cardwell is survived by husband Toney and daughters Kaitlyn Elizabeth and Kylee Madison.
In other news – Amanda Bynes returns to the spotlight
Amanda Bynes is making an entertainment comeback with a new job: Podcast host. On Dec. 9, after staying out of the spotlight for years, the She’s the Man star debuted Amanda Bynes & Paul Sieminski: The Podcast on Spotify. The series, available also in video format, marks the first on-camera project for the actress since filming the 2010 comedy movie Easy A.
On the first episode of the podcast, also released in video format, the actress-turned-fashion school graduate does not talk about herself but rather plays the role of interviewer. She and cohost Paul Sieminski, a biochemist, speak to Los Angeles tattoo artist Dahlia Moth, who had met the Hairspray star a few years ago while working at a Spirit Halloween store. Read More
