Jo Wood has confirmed that the cause of her brother Paul Kerslake’s death was coronavirus.
The radio DJ revealed in a tweet shared on Thursday that her sibling had died from COVID-19, after being rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties.
Jo, 65, called for change, as she also shared a theory that coronavirus ‘escaped from a lab’ and branded the pandemic that has swept across the globe ‘messed up’.
Tragic: Jo Wood has confirmed coronavirus was the cause of her brother Paul Kerslake’s death
Her tweet read: ‘ So it was COVID that took my brothers life on Monday .. a deadly virus that escaped from a lab and it’s affected the whole world..
‘This can’t happen again it’s messed up !!! #banthiss**t #timeforchange.’
Fans rushed to send Jo their support, with many sending their condolences. One fan commented: ‘Oh no! That is terrifying. So sorry for your heartbreaking loss, Jo – so wrong and unfair.’
Another said: ‘Keep strong lovely lady it’s so sad x,’ while a third posted: ‘So very sorry for your loss sending love and hugs x.’
‘This must change’: The radio DJ, 65, tweeted the cause of Paul’s death, while sharing a theory that COVID-19 ‘escaped from a lab’
‘God I didn’t realise it was your brother, I’m so awfully sorry xx #rip,’ shared another.
It’s been reported that the source of COVID-19 originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China. According to The Telegraph, the animal source, although not yet confirmed, is thought to be bats.
Bats were not sold at the wet markets, but could have infected both live and dead animal stock being sold. Coronaviruses are known for jumping from animals to humans.
Paul passed away on Monday morning aged 61. A statement issued at the time of his death confirmed that he had been rushed to hospital after experiencing difficulties breathing.
Support: Fans rushed to send Jo their support following her tweet about Paul’s death (pictured above), with many sending their condolences
Jo paid tribute to her ‘funny and talented’ brother as she shared a series of pictures of the two of them together on her Instagram page in tribute.
She posted an emotional message to artist Paul where she said she was ‘heartbroken’ and that Paul will ‘always be in her heart’.
Jo wrote: ‘This is my brother @Paulkarslakefa who died today…I love him so much I’ll miss him so much a funny talented wonderful father husband and brother…
‘Life won’t be the same without him. RIP brother. I love you #brother #heartbroken #seeyouontheotherside #alwaysinmyheart.’
Statement: Paul passed away on Monday morning after he was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties, a statement confirmed
Heartbroken: Jo posted an emotional message to Paul where she revealed she was ‘heartbroken’, before revealing that he will ‘always be in her heart’
A statement on Paul’s Instagram page described him as a ‘fantastic husband, a wonderful father, an amazing family man and an excellent friend to all’.
The message read: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we have to announce Paul’s sad passing this morning. He was taken to hospital yesterday morning with breathing problems and at present we do not know the exact reason for his passing.
‘The family asks for some peace and consideration and to respect and family’s privacy at this very difficult and distressing time.
‘The family have also asked that you try not to go to Paul’s workshop as it is shut and in this current time it is dangerous to gather with the guidelines for self isolation.
She wrote: ‘This is my brother @Paulkarslakefa who died today…I love him so much I’ll miss him so much a funny talented wonderful father husband and brother…’
‘It is however appreciated how much he was loved. He was a fantastic husband, a wonderful father, an amazing family man and an excellent friend to all. He is now at peace.’
In a poignant post just three days before his death, Paul urged his followers to ‘stay safe’ and ‘look after each other’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Sharing an image of one of his paintings, Paul penned: ‘Let’s think about the world at this time, the healing of Mother Nature.
‘It’s all about the Monet’ one of my paintings on #plasticpollution #staysafe #safetyfirst #lookafteryourself #health #mothernature #ecofriendly #plasticfree #zerowaste #environment #climatechange #monet #painting #artwork #artist #awareness #creative #planet #love #follow #lifestyle #pretty #beautiful #views #flowers #prettypainting #pink #aesthetic.’
Jo is the eldest of her three siblings Paul, Vinnie and sister Lize.
The family grew up in Essex and were raised by parents Rachel and Michael Karslake, who worked as an Avon lady and architectural model maker respectively.
Paul studied at SEEVIC College and Southend College of Art and Technology before beginning to work with his father Michael.
Jo is the eldest of her three siblings Paul, Vinnie and sister Lize.
Tribute: A statement on Paul’s Instagram page described him as a ‘fantastic husband, a wonderful father, an amazing family man and an excellent friend to all
The family grew up in Essex and were raised by parents Rachel and Michael Karslake, who worked as an Avon lady and architectural model maker respectively.
Paul studied at SEEVIC College and Southend College of Art and Technology before beginning to work with his father Michael.
Paul spent four years in California, working for the LA Art Studios, CBS Television and Disney Studios, with whom he later collaborated on the EuroDisney project.
Throughout his career Paul has enjoyed several solo exhibitions and has been awarded accolades including the Evening Standard’s Environment Award in April 1990.
The Karslake Centre, a centre for arts education, was opened at the Cornelius Vermuyden School and Arts College in September 2005.
Paul leaves behind his wife Sandra and their children.
Family: Paul (pictured above) leaves behind his wife Sandra and their children.