Claire Elizabeth Julian was a 22-year-old creative writer and musician who passed away on August 30, 2021. Her death shocked and saddened her family, friends, and fans, who remembered her as a bright, vivid, and compassionate person who shared many gifts with the world in her short life. What was the cause of her death, and what legacy did she leave behind? This article will explore these questions and pay tribute to Claire’s remarkable achievements and contributions.
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A Life Full of Wonder and Adventure
Claire Elizabeth Julian was born on February 18, 1999, to Joe and Debra Julian. She had three sisters, Jordan, Kendall, and Maya, who adored her and supported her dreams. She also had a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were richly woven throughout the story of her life.
Claire had an unbelievable childlike wonder for nature, hiking, Disney, skateboarding. Blowing bubbles was as natural to her at 22 as at 3. The world was a shimmering, endless, boundless adventure to be had — camping alone; taking long drives with music blaring, head bobbing; skating the Venice Beach boardwalk; meeting absolute strangers across the country and calling them “friend.” Claire was a person who recognized the humanity in people and was achingly sensitive to suffering around her.
A Passion for Music and Writing
Claire’s greatest passions were music and writing short fiction. She pursued both with focus and dedication, and she received numerous awards for her creative writing. She wrote under the pen name Endante, which means “to enchant” in Latin. Her stories were often dark, surreal, and captivating, exploring themes such as identity, love, loss, and madness.
She also had a talent for composing and performing music. She played the guitar, piano, ukulele, and harmonica. She sang with a soulful voice that expressed her emotions and experiences. She released several songs on various platforms, such as Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Her latest song release, “Lullaby for the Lost”, has been streamed over 35,000 times.
Claire’s music and writing were not only a source of joy for herself and others but also a way of coping with her personal struggles. She often used her art as an outlet for her feelings and thoughts, as well as a means of connecting with people who could relate to her.
A Struggle with Mental Health
It appeared that Claire had been grappling with personal demons, battling anxiety and depression. The pressures of her job as a freelance writer, coupled with the emotional turmoil of her failed relationship with her ex-girlfriend, had taken a toll on her mental well-being. She also faced challenges related to her sexual orientation and gender identity. She identified as bisexual and non-binary, but she felt misunderstood and rejected by some of her family members and society at large.
Claire kept a journal where she wrote about her feelings and thoughts. The journal entries revealed her yearning for escape, a longing to leave behind the life she had known. She also expressed suicidal ideation in some of her entries. She wrote that she felt hopeless, worthless, and alone. She felt that no one cared about her or understood her3. She felt that she had nothing to live for.
A Tragic End
On August 30, 2021, Claire took her own life by overdosing on prescription drugs. She left behind a note that said “I’m sorry”. She also posted a farewell message on her social media accounts saying that she loved everyone who supported her and that she hoped they would remember her fondly.
Her death was met with shock and grief by those who knew her personally or through her art. Her family held a celebration of life on September 26 at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York. They asked the attendees to wear something pink, yellow, or colorful in honor of Claire’s vibrant personality. They also established the Claire Elizabeth Julian Memorial Fund to support charities focused on mental health awareness and support services for youth and young adults.
A Lasting Legacy
Claire Elizabeth Julian may have left this world too soon, but she left behind a lasting legacy of creativity, kindness, and courage. Her music and writing will continue to inspire and touch people who listen to or read them. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her and appreciated her. Her story will raise awareness and compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues and face discrimination and stigma for being who they are.
Claire Elizabeth Julian was a brilliant and talented young woman who had so much to offer to the world. She was a wonder and an adventure. She was a passion and a struggle. She was a tragedy and a legacy. She was Claire, and she will be missed.
