Nick Cave Acknowledges Son's Death Via Fan Letter

Prolific songwriter Nick Cave spoke of his son's, Jethro Lazenby, untimely death for the first time since making a statement two weeks ago, announcing his passing. 

Cave used his long-running blog ‘The Right Hand Files’ where he typically answers questions and letters from fans, to thank them for sending condolences for Lazenby’s passing in its latest issue.

A fellow-Australian fan wrote to Cave, saying, “Dear Nick, I have no questions for you today. I just wanted to send my heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of Jethro. All I can do is offer the collective love of all who read you letters.”

Cave responded, “Thank you for your letter. Many others have written to me about Jethro, sending condolences and kind words. These letters are a great source of comfort and I’d like to thank all of you for your support.”

Cave announced his son’s death with a statement.

He shared, “With much sadness, I can confirm my son Jethro has passed away. We would be grateful for family privacy at this time,” on May 10th, as per a Huffington Post article.

Lazenby was 31.

Cave became a dad twice back in 1991, sharing his eldest son with Beau Lazenby.

Lazenby was incredibly artistic and had explored many professions. According to Huffington Post, Lazenby had been a fashion model, rapper, actor, and a photographer.

He had also been open to discussing his once-frayed relationship with his father.

Lazenby spoke on his upbringing in an interview from a decade ago, where he said, “It didn’t start off that great, having all of this s*it with my dad and being in his shadow,” according to People.

Cave, for his part, has also acknowledged the rocky beginnings of their relationship. He recalled some personal details with The Guardian as per People, in 2008. 

“It was a difficult time,” he shared, “but it turned out great in the end. To my eternal regret, I didn’t make much contact with Jethro in the early years, but I now have a great relationship with him.”

Unfortunately, Cave has become incredibly familiar with the concept of grieving throughout his life.

Tragically, Lazenby wasn’t the first son Cave has lost. 

In 2015, he lost his 15-year-old son Arthur, after he had taken a fall from a cliff. 

Three years later, Cave discussed his experience with grief in the wake of Arthur’s passing in the ‘Red Hand Files.’ In addition to answering a letter about grief from a fan, Cave offered some insight into his experience with grief.

He shared, “It seems to me if we love, we grieve. That’s the deal. That’s the pact.” (via The ABC.net.au).

“I feel the presence of my son, all around, but he may not be there,” he began in the answer to the aforementioned fan letter, “I hear him talk to me, parent me, guide me, although he may not be there.”

Cave’s 2019 LP “Ghosteen” served as a platform for Cave to work through grieving Arthur. 

As of this writing, Cave has not spoken further about Lazenby's death, nor has his cause of death been announced.