Francis Van-Lare, the father-in-law of US-based Nigerian cardiologist Dr. Ikenna Erinne, has refuted reports claiming the late doctor took his own life due to financial strain from a $15,000 monthly child support ruling.
In a statement on Monday, Van-Lare clarified the viral claim, revealing that the actual child support amount was $1,900, which Dr. Erinne had sometimes paid only partially.
Van-Lare also addressed the portrayal of Dr. Erinne as a peaceful and quiet individual, sharing screenshots of restraining orders from the Maryland Circuit Court to further clarify the situation.
The father of Dr. Ikenna Erinne’s estranged partner responded strongly to the claims, writing, “Liars everywhere. He killed himself to avoid paying $1,900 a month, which he sometimes paid partially. He was not asked to pay $15,000 a month as alleged. Deadbeat dad!”
He further dismissed the portrayal of Dr. Erinne as a “quiet and peaceful guy,” stating, “Go to the Maryland Court circuit and check the numerous restraining orders. Quiet and peaceful guy, my foot. Any more nonsense about my family, and I will share more revelations.”
The father continued, “I am a bulldozer and will bulldoze any lying blogger. Nobody should blame my daughter for the embarrassment he caused everyone.”
The tragic death of 36-year-old cardiologist Dr. Ikenna Erinne has sparked widespread debate and intense reactions from Nigerians both at home and abroad.
Francis Van-Lare, the father of Dr. Erinne’s estranged partner, has made serious allegations, claiming that before his suicide, the doctor held his daughter and grandchildren hostage at gunpoint for three hours.
He ultimately turned the weapon on himself when police arrived.
Van-Lare, a socialite and public figure, made the claim on his official Facebook account on Sunday.
This was in response to an earlier post by Facebook user Amanda Chisom, who clarified that Erinne’s ex-partner was not a white woman, as widely speculated, but Van-Lare’s daughter.
He further said, “While my daughter was involved in a custody battle, I only became aware around 3am Nigerian time last Monday that the deceased held her and her children at gunpoint for three hours after losing the case.
“The nanny managed to escape and called the police, and upon their arrival, he shot himself.”
Francis Van-Lare also revealed that Dr. Ikenna Erinne was facing three counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon, each carrying a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
“I guess he decided to kill himself instead of facing the charges,” he added.
Despite the shocking nature of the incident, Van-Lare expressed sympathy for the late doctor’s family, clarifying that his daughter was not responsible for his decision to take his own life.
“While I sympathize with his family, my daughter is not to blame for his death. And I thank God it did not escalate to where he shot my daughter, grandchildren, and himself,” the father-in-law stated.
