Diplo mourns his mother and sister as they die within weeks of each other

Musician Diplo is grieving the deaths of both his sister and his mother.

The musician, best-known for his hit collaborations with the likes of Justin Bieber, Sia and Major Lazer, has publicly shared his grief at the loss of his mother with a long and heart-wrenching post online.

It comes just weeks after the death of his sister Amy, who died in July.

Diplo revealed on Thursday that his mother Barbara Jean Pentz had died, calling her his ‘first love’ in a heart-breaking post accompanied by multiple photographs of the pair through the years.

DJ Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, said the death of his mother felt like ‘a cosmic gut punch,’ as even as an adult ‘you know mother is always there.

‘You would never call on your mom for things but you know somewhere deep inside that she would protect you.’


The 44-year-old went on to say Pentz had always supported and loved his art, even though she ‘didn’t even understand it all.’

‘She gave me all the confidence in the world & she supported me with all her energy. even when i broke and had nothing . she was on my myspace promoting me as Djmom1 (sic)!’

He recalled how every time he returned home, his mother would be there ‘on her oxygen mask and chair wearing my 2XL merch,’ saying it was ‘silly’ but she ‘loved everything about me.’

‘She told me how handsome I was when ever she saw me. She was my number one everything and I could never do anything wrong in her eyes. I really did light up her life. She loved my babies too she was so proud of the little men they are becoming.’

Diplo has three sons from two relationships: Lockett and Lazer with Kathryn Lockhart, and Pace with ex Jevon King.

In the post mourning his mother, he revealed his sister Amy had died in July, and a bittersweet silver lining meant the family were together and his mother got to see her grandchildren.


‘She got to spend time with [his sons] last month with me because of Amy. I’m so happy that happened. My sister died in July and I think she brought our family together more than we have ever been.’

He said his mother ‘was suffering a lot in her soul but also her body was fighting a fight she wasn’t going to win,’ and believed his mother knew he, his father and surviving sister Kelly were okay, and she was able to go in ‘peace.’

‘My dad held her hand at the last breath. They been married since high school. We are safe but she needed to be with my sister Amy somewhere better.

‘I miss you Barbara Jean, you were the brightest light in my life.’

He finished by admitting he had wept with grief at the airport bathroom, adding: ‘Sorry to the Janitor.’


Diplo chose to disable the comments under his Instagram post but was flooded by support on Twitter, where he had also shared the sad news.

‘I’m so sorry, may her memory be a blessing,’ one fan wrote.

‘Your beats would always make me happy when I was sad so I hope you are surrounded by those who can do the same for you.’

Another said: ‘Sending all my love and support to you..it will hurt, but you were and you are loved. Always.’

‘Your mom was such a beautiful soul,’ one person wrote. ‘She’ll live through you & your music. sending love, warmth and comfort during this difficult time.’

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