Country music star Lauren Duski, who finished as runner-up on Season 12 of "The Voice," is mourning the apparent death by suicide of her mother, Janis Duski, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The younger Duski, 32, paid tribute via a lengthy and understandably emotional social media post on Tuesday to the life of the elder Duski, 59, who reportedly died on Friday.
"Said goodbye to my best friend and hero this past Friday. My mom was the greatest human I’ve ever known. There was no one who loved harder," Duski wrote in an Instagram post. "She offered her entire being -- heart and soul to everyone she encountered and always held up the mirror to remind you of how wonderful and special you were."
"She set the bar above the moon. She adored her family and her grandchildren. She was an endless dreamer. brilliant. an absolute powerhouse," the singer continued of her late mother.
Duski went on to mention her mother's service in the U.S. Air Force and as a dentist and the work she did at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, where she "made it her mission to provide oral health care to disabled and homeless Michigan military veterans."
"She saw God in everyone and everything," Duski wrote. "Mom, you are infinitely loved. I will miss you every second of every day. I still don’t know how the hell I’m supposed to do this without you. I will thank God every day for our 32 years together and see you every time I look in that mirror."
EW reported that Duski proceeded to insinuate in her post that her mother had quietly suffered from mental health issues and encouraged her fans and followers to not be afraid to seek help and comfort if they were dealing with similar struggles of their own.
"I wasn’t planning on sharing this but these last few days I’ve been feeling the most violent pull in my heart to remind you to please talk to one another," Duski wrote. "If you’re struggling, do not be ashamed. Do not be ashamed. Do not be ashamed. Your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and neither is talking about it."
"We are all trying to navigate this beautiful, messy life. I’ve learned that even the strongest humans have a breaking point," she continued. "Be patient and gentle with yourself. Minute by minute. Please do not lose hope. Trust in God. There is always another chance … and there will never be another you."
"We have the opportunity to save a generation and beyond. Say 'I love you' every chance you get. Dont wait. You never know the true impact you have on those around you," the singer added. "I love you, mom. Forever. May you rest in glorious peace."
According to TMZ, local police in Indian River, Michigan found the deceased Janis Duski "slumped over" in the driver's seat of her vehicle that was "sitting on the edge of the roadway" on Friday.
Sources indicated that she had suffered a "single gunshot wound to the chest" and that a handgun with "one round spent" was found next to her body, and though an investigation was ongoing, the initial conclusion was that Duski had committed suicide.
According to her obituary, Duski was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Chmura, but was survived by her three brothers -- John, Jerry, and Robert Chmura.
She was also survived by her husband, Dr. Edward Duski, Jr, to whom she was married for 34 years, along with their daughter Lauren and son Bradley plus daughter-in-law Emily, along with two grandchildren, Jonathan and Isabella.
