Lil Poppa’s mother shared the toxicology results released after his death, opening up about the hip hop biography that might have been written differently had circumstances been different.
Lynn Hickson shared an Instagram message telling followers that methamphetamine was found in her son’s system when he died by suicide earlier this year. The Jacksonville rapper, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, died February 18. He was just 25 years old. In her message, she spoke about the importance of understanding hip hop biography through the lens of mental health struggles many artists face.
“The reports confirmed that methamphetamine was in his system at the time of his passing,” Hickson wrote. “As his family, we truly believe the drugs played a major part in what happened.”
She addressed her son’s mental health, writing that he had struggled with depression and anxiety before his death. Many in the community are reflecting on how these conversations around substance use and mental wellness need to happen more openly, much like the powerful spoken word performances that address these issues.
“The son we knew and loved would never have wanted to leave behind his child, his family, or the people who cared about him so deeply if he had been in the right state of mind,” Hickson wrote.
According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lil Poppa died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Hickson said the family wanted honesty around the circumstances so that his story could help others facing mental health and substance use issues. This kind of transparency is crucial for healing and awareness.
“Substance abuse can change a person’s thinking, emotions, and decisions in heartbreaking ways,” she wrote. The family’s willingness to share this journey reflects a commitment to cultural meditation on loss and recovery within our communities.
She ended her post by asking for prayers for the family, “especially his child,” and wrote, “If sharing his story can help even one person, then speaking honestly about it matters.”
Lil Poppa was buried on March 7 in Jacksonville. His memory lives on through his music and the conversations his passing has sparked about the invisible struggles many face.
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