Reality TV star Kash had been receiving death threats before she was fatally shot in Oakland, California, her mother has said, claiming jealousy over her daughter’s appearance and public profile may have played a part.
Cynthia said the threats came from people in Oakland social circles who knew of Kash. She said she did not know whether any of those individuals were connected to the confrontation in which her daughter died.
Her mother believes jealousy ultimately led to Kash being confronted and attacked by another woman on the night of 11 October. However, she has not directly linked the alleged threats to the fatal incident.
Police said Kash became involved in a fight with another woman before her sister, Vernika Dunbar, intervened. According to police, Dunbar took a gun from someone in the group and tried to pistol-whip the woman, but the weapon discharged and struck Kash in the head.
Kash was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Dunbar was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in public.
Cynthia has previously said the woman accused of attacking Kash should be imprisoned, blaming her for the chain of events that ended in her daughter’s death.
She maintains that the shooting was a tragic accident and that Dunbar never intended to hurt her sister. Cynthia has visited Dunbar in custody and said she was devastated by Kash’s death, repeatedly wishing she could take her place.
The family remains close, Cynthia said, and continues to support Dunbar while mourning Kash.
