Elliott Yamin's Mother Dies

The Richmond Times-Dispatch is reporting that Elliott Yamins mother, Claudette Yamin died last night. Here's an excerpt:

Claudette Yamin, mother of singer Elliott Yamin, died last night. She was 65.

She had been hospitalized during the weekend at Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Her cause of death was not released.

Elliott Yamin, 29, became a local celebrity during his 2006 run on the TV show "American Idol," where he placed third. During the competition, his mother, Claudette, became known to "Idol"-watchers and Richmonders for her fiery spirit.

Last year, Claudette Yamin moved briefly to Los Angeles, but returned to the Richmond area in February.

"I went to see if I could rebuild my health," she said in a February interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. (A broken hip had never fully mended.)

A message posted last night on Elliott Yamin's Web site by his good friend Brandon Crowe said, "The world lost a beautiful soul. I can't go into any details at this time except to say that she went peacefully."

Crowe's message on etrainstation.com said the family has asked for privacy and that in lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Central Virginia chapter. (Elliott Yamin has Type 1 diabetes).

Our thoughts are with Elliott and his family.