Chris Smith of Kris Kross Speaks out on Chris Kelly’s Death

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

Chris Kelly’s recent passing has shocked many in the Hip Hop community, but as everyone waits for the results of his autopsy, people continue to speculate on what led to his demise. Police in Atlanta told reporters that they suspect drugs played a role in his death, but won’t confirm their suspicions until the autopsy is finished. In the meantime, Chris’ family has spoken out on the 34 year old’s death, and now most recently the other half of his rap group Kris Kross is now revealing how he feels about losing the man he says was his best friend. Chris Smith issued this statement to Atlanta’s The Ryan Cameron Morning Show:

Chris Kelly was my Best Friend. He was like a brother.

I love him and will miss him dearly.

Our friendship began as little boys in first grade. We grew up together.

It was a blessing to achieve the success, travel the world and entertain
Kris Kross Fans all around the world with my best friend. It is what we
wanted to do and what brought us happiness.

I will always cherish the memories of the C-Connection.

KRIS KROSS FOREVER, the “MAC DADDY” and “DADDY MAC.”

TMZ is already confirming that Chris died of drugs although the autopsy results are still unknown:

After the death, cops spoke with Donna Kelly Pratte — Chris’ mother — who told police … the night before Kelly’s medical emergency, he had taken a mixture of heroin and cocaine — commonly known as “speedballs.”

Donna told police she had personally taken Kelly home to recover from the drug use … just as she had done several times before. Donna told cops Kelly had felt nauseous all morning before passing out.

According to the report, Kelly’s mother and Kelly’s uncle both told investigators the rapper had an “extensive history of drug use.”