Jim Beaver announced on social media that he and his family suffered a tremendous loss on Christmas Day. The “Deadwood” actor’s 18-year-old niece passed away after battling cancer for over two years. He took to his Twitter account to detail what happened, and how heartbroken he is.
“My treasured niece Kira died this Christmas morning. She was 18. She was one of the bravest and most poised people I have ever met, and her spirit was ferocious and loving and filled with grace,” he wrote on Christmas Day.
— Jim Beaver (@jumblejim) December 25, 2019
“Her parents Wendy and Robert, her sister Zane, and her devoted boyfriend Evan matched her step for step in courage,” he continued.
“To all of my friends who took part in Kira’s terrible and miraculous fight by contributing to the funding of her immense medical expenses or by sending prayers, gifts, and letters, or by simply holding her in your hearts, I will be indebted forever. Kira lived far longer than most DIPG patients, and that happened in part because of the outpouring of support she had, often from people she’d never met.”
“Love and gratitude spill in a flood from my broken heart,” he concluded, and then shared a photo of Kira.
Her father announced her death on the family’s GoFundMe page.
“Kira passed at 1:30am peacefully and without suffering, even smiling in the end (or the beginning depending upon your beliefs). In hindsight, she had been preparing us since early December when she felt her body starting to fade.”
My heart is breaking. My beautiful 16-year-old niece Kira has inoperable brain cancer. Costs for her care are staggering. Please, if I've meant anything to you, contribute a dollar or 10 or 10 thousand to her care. It will mean the world to me and to her. https://t.co/t9joTyK3eQ pic.twitter.com/zmdNqz7wxC
— Jim Beaver (@jumblejim) November 18, 2017
Kira was a huge Billie Eilish fan, and the 18-year-old musician shared a message on Instagram about her passing. “F–k. I don’t understand why is this all happening. I hate this,” she wrote.
“I don’t know how I’m only finding out now you’re not here anymore,” Eilish wrote along with a photo of Kira giving her a hug. “I love you so much Kira. Please fly high. Rest in peace.”
On New Year’s Day, Beaver returned to Twitter to share his gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“I have tried to read the tens of thousands of messages of comfort and condolence I’ve received this past week. I’m afraid replying to each of them is beyond my capacity. Please know that I and my family are lifted up by your kindness and generosity and are forever grateful,” he said.
