Hollywood Heartbreak

More proof that money and fame don’t shield you from heartbreak: two Hollywood stars lost siblings this week, with both loved ones dying under tragic—and somewhat bizarre—circumstances.

Indie film star Mark Ruffalo’s brother Scott died after being shot in the head in his Beverly Hills apartment. Details about his death remain sketchy: a woman taken into custody was later released after her lawyer presented enough evidence that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. There has been talk that Scott died during a drug-fueled game of Russian roulette.

And former child star Macaulay Culkin’s older sister Dakota was hit by a car in Los Angeles this week. Reports say that she simply stepped off a curb and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.  She died of her injuries the next day.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but there’s something particularly hard about losing a sibling. After all, who understands better what makes you tick than someone who grew up in the same house with the same parents? And of course, facing this tragedy during the holidays only makes it harder to cope. I recently lost a loved one right before Thanksgiving, and I feel like every holiday from now on will simply be a reminder of that person’s passing.

Share your stories on coping with the loss of a loved one and how you handle the grieving process below. --Linda DiProperzio