Young Dolph’s longtime partner Mia Jaye broke her silence on Wednesday (Jan. 12) in her first interview since the Memphis rapper’s shooting death. Speaking with ABC News Live Prime, she explained how Dolph’s tragic and unexpected passing has affected her and their two kids.
“It’s been extremely difficult, just having to pick up the pieces and to find the strength for my children,” she said. “That is the one thing that Adolph and myself… we just… we felt we had a duty to them. To protect them, to raise them, to just do so much for them, and [to do it] together. Now that he’s no longer here, it’s just very tough for me to be strong for them and also be strong for myself because Adolph was my soulmate when I say they stole my future… it has taken a long time to iron out the kinks.”
During her interview, Jaye also discussed her Black Men Deserve to Grow Old campaign, which she launched after the 2020 shooting death of her brother, Jeremy Jerdine. As reported by REVOLT, the campaign saw an increase in traffic and sales following Dolph’s death.
“I give honor to God in this because I had no idea that me putting this campaign together to help my brother’s family and the other families that have been affected by such violent crime, I didn’t know that I was also preparing for my own journey,” she reflected. “I’ve received an outpouring of support, from fans to different celebrities… I mean, just everyone has been very supportive sending the kindest notes to my team.”
On Wednesday, a third suspect in Dolph’s death was arrested and charged, following the capture of suspects 23-year-old Justin Johnson and 32-year-old Cornelius Smith. Smith and Johnson are both charged with first-degree murder, while 27-year-old Shundale Barnett was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder; criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder; and theft of property $10,000 to $60,000.
See Jaye’s full interview below.