The pro baseball player and his new fiancée are mourning the sudden death of a beloved family member today after revealing her passing in a few social media posts – and the world is reaching out with their condolences for this heartbreaking loss.
Tim Tebow and his fiancée Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters both shared beautiful posts on Saturday, May 4th, 2019 revealing that Demi-Leigh’s younger sister had passed away suddenly – at just 13 years old.
In February, Demi-Leigh shared a beautiful post celebrating young Franje’s 13th birthday and posted several pictures of the two of them together – both beaming with incredible smiles.
Demi-Leigh, who is just 23, said: “It’s my little Princess’ 13th Birthday today! Franje, you put life into so much perspective for so many people without even knowing. You’re my biggest motivation in life. When you smile, I smile. Leif vir jou my Sussa (Love you my Sumsa).”
Tim Tebow and Demi-Leigh have been dating for some time now and recently got engaged in January 2019. She is the 2017 winner of the Miss Universe pageant and originally hails from South Afrika – which is why she often adds sweet dedications to her social media posts in her native language.
Together, they both mourned the passing of young Franje on social media with two separate messages expressing their love of her in beautiful ways.
“My little Princess, Angel on Earth, biggest joy and baby sister, Franje, passed away earlier today, Demi-Leigh wrote on Instagram. “Our hearts are aching beyond measure but I am grateful knowing she’s forever relieved of the pain she experienced on earth. She’s laughing, running and playing in heaven just like we always hoped she would on earth. She’s free! Thank you for all your prayers, love and support. ❤️ Lief jou vir altyd my Sussa en eendag sal ons weer bymekaar wees!”
The model and philanthropist was joined by her future husband when he shared a special photo of the three of them to his Twitter account and said: “Our loss but heavens gain. So grateful for the hope we have of being reunited with the ones we love through our Heavenly Father. Mr & Mrs. Peters and Demi-Leigh we are praying for you and love you so much.”
Our loss but heavens gain. So grateful for the hope we have of being reunited with the ones we love through our Heavenly Father. Mr & Mrs Peters and @demileighnp we are praying for you and love you so much. pic.twitter.com/O3Zu7XcHTu
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) May 5, 2019
According to local South African website, The South African, young Franje had suffered from cerebellar agenesis – which is where a person is born without an important part of the brain: the cerebellum.
Because of this, her ability to walk, talk, and develop was significantly limited. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for receiving information from sensory systems, the spinal cord, and regulates motor movements – among other important tasks.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Demi-Leigh, the Nel-Peters family, and the Tebows during this very difficult time.