Mariah Carey has disclosed that her sister, Alison Carey, and mother, Patricia Carey, both died on the same day. The Grammy-winning performer issued a statement stating that two members of her close family died this weekend. “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend,” Carey told PEOPLE. “Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”

Needless to say, such tremendous loss is an almost unmatched experience, though Carey did express thankfulness for the opportunity to spend time with her mother before to her death. “I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed,” the All I Want For Christmas singer added. “I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time.”

At the time of writing, the causes of death for sister Alison and mother Patricia were unknown. Patricia was a Juilliard-trained opera singer and voice instructor before she and Alfred Roy Carey had children Alison, Mariah, and Morgan. The parents split when Mariah was three years old.

According to PEOPLE, the “We Belong Together” singer had a complicated connection with her mom.Mariah writes in her 2020 book, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, that her relationship with her mother has been full of paradoxes and opposing truths, much like many other areas of her life. It’s never been just black and white; it’s been a full spectrum of feelings.”

The singer’s relationship with Alison was likewise poor, at least as of the publishing of her previously mentioned memoir. In the book, Carey stated that it was “emotionally and physically safer for me not to have any contact” with her siblings. We are sending strength and love to Mariah Carey. It is exceedingly difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one, but to have two people pass away on the same day?