Lil Poppa’s untimely death has left his family with heartache and unanswered questions.
On Tuesday, March 3, the late rapper’s baby mama, Toie Roberts, took to Instagram to reflect on the tragic loss and the effect it had on their young family. Roberts posted a series of photos documenting her relationship with Lil Poppa, including everything from maternity photoshoots and beach vacations to roadtrips and the birth of their son, Kofi J'nar.
“Nothing could EVER describe the pain, the thoughts, the constant heartbreak of it all,” Roberts wrote in the March 3 carousel. “Our reality changing before my eyes.. i’ve been wondering how could you be so in a rush to leave us so suddenly & torturing.. for us to go on without you in life..but deep down, i know you didn’t mean to & you didn’t mean to hurt us. ESPECIALLY NOT KOFI.. at least NOT LIKE THAT!!!”
The post came just several weeks after Lil Poppa — legal name Janarious Mykel Wheeler — died in Fulton County, Georgia, at age 25. According to the Hapeville Police Department, the CMG rapper was involved in a single-car accident on February 18 and alerted his manager shortly after. After determining his vehicle was still drivable, Lil Poppa reportedly agreed to meet his manager at a nearby Hilton Hotel. Law enforcement officials told TMZ that the rapper remained in his car while speaking to his manager through the window. The details of the conversation remain unclear, but it allegedly ended when Lil Poppa pulled out a handgun and shot himself in the head.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.
“How tf you leave without saying you’ll see us later?!” Roberts’ message continued. “I really don’t understand & i feel played about it all but i know you understand why.”
Roberts, the daughter of rapper Rick Ross, then acknowledged some of her and Lil Poppa’s relationship struggles, but insisted they were a loving family. The two reportedly started dating in 2022 and welcomed their son that summer.
“[Two] young adults just trying to figure life out with so much riding our back,” she wrote. “The 2 peas in a pod that turned into the BIGGG 3! What i’m supposed to tell our bayboy?¿ what’s the big 3 without you P? this wasn’t the plan for US! i don’t believe this is where our story was supposed to end but with the help of God we’ll get through it.”
She continued: “I hope i find the missing pieces to the puzzle. none of this shit making sense. MY SON LOST HIS FATHER! i will never take that lightly! when everybody move on with their lives, it’ll still b me and our son living in it. we’ve been robbed of so much in just a blink of an eye.”
Roberts said she would be grieving for “the rest of [her] life” but was hopeful that Lil Poppa finally “foud the peace [he’d] been looking for.”
“You go on & get your rest,” she wrote. “We’ll be fine. thank you FOR EVERYTHING, from the bottom of my heart. we love you so much & we’re going to miss you endlessly in this lifetime!”