Deon Derrico Provides Fans with a Tragic Update on His Nephew Amani

TLC star Deon Derrico had been regularly sharing updates with fans in July 2024 about his nephew Amani's health, especially after viewers noticed his absence from the latest season of Doubling Down with the Derricos. Although Deon seemed optimistic about Amani's recovery from recent surgeries, a heartbreaking update came on July 20, 2024: Amani succumbed to his long battle with autoimmune hepatitis and passed away.

After the Doubling Down With the Derricos star introduced fans to Amani, who Deon had only discovered existed after his brother (and Amani's father) Chris Derrico died, he's been open about his health struggles. Here’s everything you need to know about Amani’s final battle.

At the beginning of July 2024, Deon took to his Instagram account to share with his supporters that Amani had undergone grueling surgery, giving some insight into Amani's health.

The patriarch shared on his platform that Amani had "two liver transplants within two weeks" that left him in an "induced coma" at the end of June 2024. In his caption, he wrote that his family still needed his supporters' prayers, but that Amani was set to go home.

"Thank you to everyone that has prayed for my nephew Amani!" Deon wrote in his update. "As you can see he has been through it, having two liver transplants within two weeks, and being placed in an induced coma up until a couple of days ago! PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING, Lord knows how bad we need them / He needs your prayers!! We are all lost without GOD!!!

In another update, Deon wrote, "We are truly grateful that my nephew Amani is doing much better and he’ll hopefully be released from the hospital within the next two weeks."

Although things seemed to be going well for Amani in the hours after his second surgery, he experienced complications and was advised he would need yet another transplant.

Sadly, it seems Amani was unable to recover after his third surgery and passed away on July 20, 2024. Deon announced the tragic news on Instagram, writing, "My family, friends, and fans … It is with great sadness that I #DEONDERRICO announce the passing of my loving nephew Amani Barkley! Our family is devastated."

Prior to his passing, Deon and Karen launched a GoFundMe to help Amani with his mounting medical expenses. In the description, Deon explained that Amani's liver began to "deteriorate, causing him to immediately be placed back on the donors list for another liver, only a week after the second liver transplant."

While Amani successfully underwent his third liver transplant around June 15, 2024, Deon mentioned that it had put a lot of stress on his body, leading to "other health challenges." He also revealed that Amani had been diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis at just 14 years old, which prompted the first liver transplant.

Deon and Karen launched the GoFundMe with the hope of raising $17,000 to cover medical expenses and other costs that arose after Amani had to stop working and his mother took a leave of absence to focus on his health. As of July 24, 2024, the family exceeded their goal, raising $17,421. It’s unclear where the funds will be allocated now, but they will likely be used to cover the remaining expenses incurred before Amani's passing.

Deon also asked for prayers and requested that any monetary gifts be made out to The Deon Derrico and Marian Derrico Foundation. He explained in an Instagram post that "the proceeds will be used to help other families of liver transplant patients and recipients, as well as cancer patients and recipients."