“I Didn’t Even Get to Say Goodbye”: Reggae Singer Mortimer Mourns Mother’s Passing While on European Tour

Reggae singer Mortimer is facing one of the most heartbreaking chapters of his life, revealing on Monday that his mother has passed away after a long battle with cancer. In an emotional post to Instagram, the From Within crooner shared the depth of his grief: “Bye mom 😭🕊💔. Thanks for everything. Truly. See you on the other side. I love you. I’m gonna miss you… I can’t put into words how I feel. There’s just an emptiness. I didn’t even get to say goodbye ‘cause I’m on tour and all the way in France 😔😔. I’ve never felt so broken 💔. F**k cancer.” His candid words sparked an overwhelming outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow artists. Romain Virgo wrote, “I’m so sorry my brother,” while Kabaka Pyramid shared, “Jah know bredda, so sorry fi hear dis. More strength and heart healing my bro.” Jesse Royal reminded him, “Strength bro! Words won’t do much now but we deh ya seen 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Anything anytime brother!!! 💔”

The wave of love extended further with messages from Lila Iké — “Jah know Mortimer sending strength and love 💙✨” — and reggae icons Morgan Heritage, who encouraged, “Hold firm brother. Sorry for your loss. We know it’s not easy! 💔🕊️.” Nature Ellis prayed he would “find the strength to ride out this storm,” while Stephen Marley, Pressure Buss Pipe, and many others sent their quiet but powerful prayers through emoji tributes. The flood of support underscored just how deeply Mortimer’s artistry and character have resonated within the reggae fraternity.

The loss comes just months after Mortimer endured another deeply personal setback while on tour in Europe. In April, only three shows into his 16-city trek alongside Romain Virgo, Tori Lattore, and Janeel Mills, the singer suffered the theft of a bag containing essential performance equipment and four years’ worth of unreleased music — including what he described as “3, 4 albums worth of work.” The incident in Rome, Italy, left him grappling with the reality that the only existing backup of his creative output was gone. “My bag with my setup was stolen with all the music I’ve put my heart into for the last 4 years,” he told fans at the time, calling the loss both personal and spiritual. Virgo, who has been touring with him, commented then, “Your strength fam!!! Your strength!! ✊🏾🔥.”

Despite the blow, Mortimer pressed forward, channelling his pain into powerful performances across Europe. A turning point came in Bologna, where he chose to “shake the feeling a bit and have some fun,” later thanking the Italian crowd for reigniting his spirit. The tour not only showcased his resilience but also highlighted reggae’s growing influence across the continent, with stops in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Stockholm — part of a market that now accounts for over 35% of reggae’s international touring footprint outside the Caribbean and U.S.

Now, as he navigates the grief of losing his mother alongside the earlier loss of his unreleased work, Mortimer’s journey has become a living testament to resilience. In both moments, his peers and fans have rallied behind him, a reflection of the deep respect he commands within the reggae community. From the heartfelt condolences to the on-stage determination, Mortimer’s story in 2025 mirrors the very themes his music champions — love, endurance, and the unyielding will to turn pain into something that heals not just himself, but everyone who listens.