Lynn Hickson, the mother of Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa, has broken her silence, revealing that toxicology results confirmed methamphetamine was present in her son’s system at the time of his passing.
“The reports confirmed that methamphetamine was in his system at the time of his passing,” she wrote in an Instagram statement. “As his family, we truly believe the drugs played a major part in what happened. Although he did struggle with depression and anxiety, we know in our hearts that the substances affecting his mind and judgment made an already difficult battle even heavier.
She emphasized that his state of mind at the time was not a reflection of who he truly was. “The son we knew and loved would never have wanted to leave behind his child, his family, or the people who cared about him so deeply if he had been in the right state of mind.”
Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, died on February 18, 2026, at just 25 years old. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death a suicide. The Jacksonville-bred rapper had been signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group since 2022 and had recently released a new single, “Out of Town Bae,” just days before his death.
Rather than casting shame on her son’s memory, his mother said the family chose honesty in hopes of saving others. “We are sharing this not to shame him, but to tell the truth and hopefully bring awareness to how dangerous these drugs truly are, especially when someone is already struggling emotionally or mentally.”
She closed with a heartfelt tribute: “Beneath everything, he was still a loving father, son, and person with a good heart… Rest easy, son. We love you forever.”
Lil Poppa is remembered for hits including “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS,” leaving behind a legacy of raw, emotionally driven music.
