The Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen has been tribute to her late bodyguard Mason Haynes, following his death aged 52, and she has remembered him as her “protector”, “confidant” and one of her “closest friends”.
Taylor Momsen has paid tribute to her late bodyguard Mason Haynes, following his death aged 52.
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter took to social media to remember her “protector” and “confidant” Mason, after he died in a traffic accident just two days before he was due to turn 53.
Taylor wrote on Instagram: “I’ve struggled for days and still am not sure how to process this.
“Mason Haynes was my family, my protector, my confidant and one of my closest friends.
“When someone knows every dark secret about you and never judges, spends 24 hours a day with you seven days a week, you form a bond that is hard to explain.”
Taylor praised Mason as someone who had the “softest heart” of anyone she has ever known, and the star admitted she will miss him “in a way [she] can’t explain”.
She added: “He was a powerful giant with the softest heart of anyone I knew.
“Smart as a whip, artistic and most importantly he was always putting others needs first.
“His advocacy against bullying ran deep within him.
“I will miss him in a way I can’t explain.
“My love to his family who meant more than the world to him.”
The Pretty Reckless frontwoman encouraged her fans to donate to a GoFundMe page set up for Mason’s wife Fay, his daughter Brooke, and son Noah, and to ensure he “gets the send-off he truly deserves”.
Taylor said: “If you can, please donate to the gofundme in my story to support this immense loss so many people I know are feeling.
“I love you Mason, I can’t believe I’ll never hear your voice again.
“You were truly one of a kind. Hold your loved ones close and don’t take a minute for granted. Love to you all xxt (sic)”
At the time of writing, more than £14,500 has been raised via the GoFundMe, which is titled Honouring Mason Haynes.
Annabel Bass, who created the page, said: “We have created this page to help Fay, Brooke and Noah through the weeks and months ahead.
“The funds raised will ensure Mason gets the send-off he truly deserves – a celebration of a life that touched so many people. Beyond that, they will help ease some of the immediate financial pressures that inevitably follows such a sudden and devastating loss.
“Your support will give Fay and their family the time and space to grieve, heal and begin rebuilding their lives, without Fay having to make impossible decisions that she could never have imagined she would have to face.
“If you knew Mason, you’ll know he never measured people by what they had.
He measured them by how they showed up.
“If Mason ever made you laugh, helped you through a difficult time, believed in you, protected you, inspired you or simply made your life a little better, we’d be incredibly grateful if you could help his family now.
“No donation is too small.
“And if you’re unable to give, simply sharing this page would mean the world.
“Thank you for helping us honour an extraordinary husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
Taylor Momsen pays heartfelt tribute after her ‘protector’ and ‘confidant’ dies
