The daughter of Sopranos actor John Ventimiglia has died at the age of 25, his family confirmed, just three months after she welcomed her baby girl, Shiloh.
Odele Ventimiglia passed away on January 12. Her cause of death has not been announced.
Her mother, Belinda Cape, confirmed the news in a Facebook post saying the family have been left ‘heartbroken’.
Odele’s father is best known for starring as Artie Bucco in the hit HBO television series from 1999 to 2007.
Sopranos star John Ventimiglia’s daughter Odele dead at 25: Family reveal they are ‘heartbroken’ as cause of death is yet unknown
The from the grieving mother read: ‘Heartbroken to have to post our darling Odele’s funeral notice. Her sister Lucinda and I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and love we have received, and your remembrances of how cherished Odele was to so many.’
She added: ‘Odele was greatly loved, and leaves a huge hole in our lives.’
Odele’s sister Lucinda also paid tribute in an emotional Instagram post, with a caption that read: ‘Words will never be enough to express the grief we are all feeling. I loved my little sister a lot and I will spend the rest of my life searching for her in everything.
‘My family and i are so grateful for all the care and support we have been receiving during this impossible time. it has never been more clear how much she meant to so many people.’
Tragic: Odele pictured (L) with her parents (middle) and sister Lucinda
John starred as Artie Bucco in HBO’s hit series The Sopranos (pictured with James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as wife Carmela)
Her funeral service was held on Thursday at the Old First Reformed Church in Brooklyn, New York.
According to her mother and sister’s Instagram accounts, Odele had just given birth in early November, 2022, at Mount Sinai Maternity Ward.
Little is known about Odele’s personal life as she kept her social media accounts private, but before her death, she worked as a server and waiter at Vekslers in Brooklyn since 2016, according to Harri.
According to her Facebook, she previously went to high school at New York’s Institute for Collaborative Education, which specializes in career oriented programs and provides students on-the-job training with a local employer.
Heart-wrenching: Odele’s sister Lucinda also paid tribute in an emotional Instagram post, with a caption that read: ‘Words will never be enough to express the grief we are all feeling. I loved my little sister a lot and I will spend the rest of my life searching for her in everything’
Doting mom: Odele pictured holding her baby girl as she slept peacefully in her arms
Sad: A GoFundMe has been set up for Odele’s baby Shiloh after her passing
On Monday, the family requested donations to cover the costs of Odele’s infant daughter’s education through GoFundMe.
Under the description, the family wrote: ‘With the loss of our darling Odele, we are fundraising to help Shiloh with future education costs.’
The fundraiser has surpassed $52,358 from more than 466 donors in just three days.
John’s former The Sopranos costar, Stevie Van Zandt, and wife Maureen contributed $500.
‘Deepest Love and Condolences,’ the couple wrote, alongside their donation.
Gone too soon: Her funeral service was held at the Old First Reformed Church in Brooklyn, New York
Devastating: According to her mother and sister’s Instagram accounts, Odele had just given birth in early November, 2022, at Mount Sinai Maternity Ward
Painful: Lucinda said ‘words will never be enough to express the grief’ she is feeling over the loss of her sister
Although he has credited roles in several movies throughout the 1990s, Odele’s father’s claim to fame was playing Artie Bucco on The Sopranos.
John’s character, who was childhood friends with mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), ran the Vesuvio Restaurant.
The plethora of John’s work on television is focused on crime dramas, particularly ones based in New York.
His other big roles included playing Organized Crime Control Bureau Chief Dino Arbogast on CBS’s Blue Bloods, and Detective Eddy Costa on Disney’s Jessica Jones.
John has yet to post a tribute to social media, but did comment under Lucinda’s post: ‘Love this picture. Thank you Lucinda.’