Christopher Lawford's Kennedy and Shriver Family Members Mourn His Death: 'He Was a Fighter'

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As many mournChristopher Lawford‘s death, members of his famous family are paying tribute to former President John F. Kennedy’s nephew, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday at 63.

“God bless you, Christopher. Love you to heaven and back. I miss you already,” cousin Maria Shrivertweetedon Wednesday.

“The recovery community lost a founding father today. My cousin, Chris Lawford, passed away from a heart attack yesterday evening. To the world he was an author, actor, & activist, but to the recovery community he was a pioneer – living proof that long-term recovery was possible,” Patrick wrote.

Lawford had previously opened up about his addiction to LSD, which he said started at age 14 and ended at age 30 when he went to rehab, in his two books, 2006’sSymptoms of Revival: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemptionand 2016’sWhen Your Partner Has an Addiction: How Compassion Can Transform Your Relationship (And Heal You Both in the Process).

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“Chris had lived in long-term recovery since the mid ’80s and helped countless others along the way. In my own struggle to achieve sobriety, he always encouraged me to stay the course, providing love and guidance when I needed it most,” Patrick continued.

Meanwhile, cousin Kerry Kennedy, who is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, tweeted, “We mourn the loss of my cousin Christopher Lawford, Rest in Peace,” along withphotosof Lawford at the 2004 Democratic Convention with son David.

source: people.com