McKnight, who was the son of singer Brian McKnight, passed away on May 29, 2025. He was just 32 years old. What’s even harder to hear is that he had been quietly fighting stage 4 colon cancer for the past two years. A lot of people didn’t even know he was sick. It just shows how personal he kept things. His family is heartbroken, and fans are feeling that pain too.
He Was More Than Just Brian McKnight’s Son
Niko wasn’t just known because of who his dad is. He had his own creative path. He sang, played guitar, and was really into photography. At one point, he even made music with his dad and brother in a group they called MCKNIGHT. So yeah, talent definitely ran in the family. But from what’s been said, he and Brian hadn’t been close in recent years. No one knows all the details, but there was clearly some distance between them lately. That just makes the whole thing even more emotional.
His Uncle Shared the News with a Heavy Heart
The first time most people heard about Niko’s death was through a TikTok video made by his uncle, Claude McKnight. You could really feel the love and sadness in his voice. Claude talked about how special Niko was—quirky, curious, and insanely talented. He also gently pointed out that yeah, families go through stuff, but now isn’t the time to focus on all that drama. It’s about remembering Niko for who he was and the beauty he brought to the world through his art and music.
His Mom’s Words Show Just How Much He Was Loved
Julie McKnight, Niko’s mom, also spoke up and shared how deeply heartbroken she is. She said he had a warm and loving spirit, and honestly, that stuck with me. You can tell she’s feeling this loss in every part of her being. It’s hard to even imagine what she’s going through right now. The family has asked for some space to grieve, and you gotta respect that. Sometimes the most helpful thing is just letting people have that quiet time to deal with the pain.
Brian McKnight Hasn’t Said Anything Yet
As of now, Brian McKnight hasn’t made a public statement about Niko’s death. Some folks are waiting for him to speak out, others are just trying to send their support. Whatever the case, everyone processes grief in their own way. Maybe he’s still trying to come to terms with it all. We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, and that’s okay. It’s a tough situation no matter what your relationship is with someone.
