SAD: Popular Celebrity Commits Suicide

The co-founder of natural hair-care line Miss Jessie’s, Titi Branch, is dead.

The 45-year-old entrepreneur was said to have committed suicide due to asphyxia . NV Magazine made it known that she died on Dec. 4 2014 . Her sister and business partner, Miko, and the Miss Jessie’s brand sent out tweets early yesterday in her memory. Although there is no official statement from the family yet, Washington Post made it known that a family friend has confirmed that she is dead.

Titi and her sister, Miko Branch opened their Brooklyn salon in 1997 and, in 2004, they launched a hair-care line. The ‘Miss Jessie’ trademark is the name of their grandmother. The sisters are known for pioneering natural hair revolution amongst women and they have helped women understand, style, and care for their natural strands during a time when conversations on this topic were still unheard.

The hair brand has grown tremendously over the years. Since its debut, it has become something of a household name, finding a place on the shelves of major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Ricky’s NYC. Titi created one of the company’s most beloved products: Curly Pudding, a curl enhancer that has won several awards, including Allure’s 2009 Best of Beauty and Shecky’s 2008 Best Wave Enhancer.

Titi and her sister, Miko

“We want to be part of [our customer's] journey and experience, while at the same time growing the brand and maintaining our integrity in the market,” Titi stated on Miss Jessie’s site. “When we get letters and emails from customers saying how our product and our message has changed their life and given them confidence to express their individuality — that’s what makes all the hard work we’ve put into Miss Jessie’s worth it.”

The natural hair community has undoubtedly suffered a major loss today, and Titi, with all of her charisma and knack for innovation, will be greatly missed.

It would be recalled that just recently, popular Rhythm Fm radio presenter who was a relationship coach and anchor of ‘Sharing Life Issues’ during his lifetime, Charles Bruce Chukwuma, popularly known as Chaz B died after years of battling with Kidney related problems.