Perez Hilton's Family Says Children Fled Before Livestream
Relatives said the blogger's three children, his sister and his niece were inside the home minutes before he streamed what appeared to be self-harm during what they called a severe mental health crisis.
Perez Hilton's family said his three children, his niece and his sister were inside his home "minutes before" the celebrity blogger publicly livestreamed what appeared to be self-harm during what the family described as "a severe mental health crisis."
In a statement issued Thursday on Hilton's blog, the family said the relatives "fled to protect from witnessing any further trauma" after "it became clear" that Hilton was "harming himself."
Hilton, 48, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, began a livestream on his TikTok account Tuesday before the platform removed the video and his account. In the stream, he appeared to be covered in blood, with visible cuts, and holding what appeared to be a knife.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told NBC News that deputies responded Tuesday night to reports of someone "who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media." The office did not identify Hilton by name, but said the person was "safely recovered" and taken by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a hospital, where he was receiving medical attention.
Hilton's family confirmed Wednesday that he was receiving medical care, saying he "is able to communicate, which has given our family hope."
The blogger is a single parent to his children, all of whom are under 14 and were born via surrogacy. The family asked the public "to leave the area surrounding the family's home and not return."
"Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced," the statement reads. "An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy."
Hilton was hospitalized at least twice in the months before this week's incident, for an ulcer, sepsis and deep vein thrombosis. In recent months he has also told his followers that he has found God.
He rose to prominence in the early 2000s blogging about celebrities' private lives and entertainment news. His work has frequently been criticized for belittling women and invading the privacy of others.
On Thursday, the family expressed gratitude "for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time." The statement added: "The events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
