Jackie Siegel of Queen of Versailles fame has come under significant fire since she was spotted taking photos of her daughter’s casket and holding a soft drink cup at her daughter’s funeral.
Victoria Siegel was just 18 when she died–presumably of an overdose–last Saturday while David and Jackie Siegel were away at a wedding. Victoria Siegel was laid to rest earlier this week.
It was Tuesday as Victoria Siegel’s remains were being placed into a hearse that Jackie Siegel was seen either filming or taking snapshots of the casket with her smart phone–a soft drink cup and straw in her other hand.
The New York Post called Jackie Siegel’s actions “strange.”
Significant flack with regard to this scene prompted family attorney Michael Marder to issue a statement about David and Jackie Siegel.
Queen of Versailles star has been on an emotional rollercoaster since her daughter's death http://t.co/Y8taqHx3LX pic.twitter.com/JfXVLZa4hV
— People magazine (@people) June 12, 2015
“People deal with grief differently,” he said in the written statement. Mrs Siegel is grieving as we all are. I have been with the family starting from the very first moment they learned of Victoria’s death and I can tell you that she has cried … a lot … and has been on an emotional roller coaster. There is no authoritative manual that tells us how to grieve. The entire family has been sleeping together in the large family room of the house since this horrible tragedy happened. They are talking together, crying together, and caring for and loving each other. The family has been through a terrible tragedy and has been hurt enough, and the way Mrs Siegel is being portrayed by some in the media is just adding additional pain, not only to her, but to the entire family.”
Victoria Siegel suffered from an addiction to prescription meds. She was reportedly a victim of cruel bullying on the day she died. Her parents are considering pressing charges against the bully.
“The Siegel family is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of their beloved Victoria,” Michael Marder said in a previous statement shortly after David and Jackie Siegel learned Victoria had died. “They are hurt, deeply wounded and they are grieving. Victoria was a beautiful spirit with a wonderful smile who was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. Unfortunately she became dependent [on the prescription drugs] and struggled with this condition. She voluntarily underwent rehabilitation and was working hard to address this problem. It is likely that Victoria ingested one or more drugs prior to her death; however we cannot determine at this time whether or not the drugs she took were in fact prescribed medication, something else, or where and how these drugs may have been obtained.”
Victoria Siegel’s parents will seek to press charges against bully who sent ‘hateful’ texts! http://t.co/1NTqLWHvUf pic.twitter.com/vBeD7glOri
— Radar Online (@radar_online) June 11, 2015
David and Jackie Siegel set up a fund in memory of Victoria Siegel, the proceeds from which will “help troubled teens get the guidance and assistance they need to live a healthy and positive life.”
No one knows how they might react in the face of losing a child. It’s unfair for those not connected to David and Jackie Siegel to comment on her actions at their daughter Victoria’s funeral.
