Nicole Scherzinger broke down in tears as she spoke about having one of the most difficult weeks of her life when her cousin died.
John Frederick III, 35, was killed in a hit and run accident last month but the driver has not been caught.
Speaking to The Guardian, she said: ‘Honestly, that week was probably one of my hardest weeks of my life.
Family: Nicole Scherzinger, 41, broke down in tears as she spoke about having one of the most difficult weeks of her life when her cousin died
‘It’s just a horrible thing that I would never wish upon anyone else, and it haunts me every day that we have no justice for him yet.’
Nicole was said to have teared up mid-interview as she thought about her cousin and said grieving his death has reminded her that you only get one life.
She said: ‘It’s hard to think that someone can take someone else’s life. I think we all hold responsibility, in everything in life. I’m mostly sad because I’ll never have my cousin back.
Nicole returned to her work as judge on The X Factor: Celebrity the week after John’s death.
Tragedy: John Frederick III, 35, was killed on October 26 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in a collision which took place around 3am and the driver of the other vehicle has not been found
The TV star took to her Instagram page after John’s death to appeal for information, pleading for the perpetrator of the ‘tragic’ crime to ‘have the dignity to come forward.
John was killed on October 26 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in a collision which took place around 3am.
Sharing photos of her late cousin, the former Pussycat Dolls singer wrote: ‘It’s like a nightmare, that we will never be able to wake from…It is with the heaviest of hearts that I say goodbye to my beautiful cousin, John Boy.
Nicole said: ‘It’s just a horrible thing that I would never wish upon anyone else, and it haunts me every day that we have no justice for him yet’ (pictured in October 2019)
‘This past Saturday October the 26th at 3am, his life was taken by a hit and run in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
‘Though I must take comfort in knowing that he is at peace with our Lord, I also know the agony our family is going through, knowing someone hit him head on and just left him there to die.
‘My sweet cousin, I love you so much. This world was a better place with you and your kind, creative heart in it. We will never forget you and will carry you with us forever.
Devastating: The former Pussycat Dolls singer wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s like a nightmare, that we will never be able to wake from…It is with the heaviest of hearts that I say goodbye to my beautiful cousin, John Boy’
Appeal: The star also shared an appeal for information to track down the hit and run driver
Urging the perpetrator to come forward, she continued: ‘My family and I are pleading for any information which could help support the investigation into the tragic death of this incredible man. I ask that whoever did this, has the dignity and strength to come forward.
‘Our God is a loving and forgiving God, but I pray for justice for John Boy and closure for my family.’
A GoFundMe page set up to support the family describes John as a ‘faithful and loving Son, Brother, Friend, Artist, Lover and Caretaker.’
Jillian Frederick, John’s sister told WPLG-Ch. 10: That’s my brother. He’s mine and someone took him from me’ while holding a photo of her sibling and pleading for the driver to come forward.
She said: ‘He saw the car coming. He lost his footing and the car just plowed through him and left him there.’
Police are looking for a 2009 to 2014 silver Hyundai Sonata with front-end damage.
Investigators urge anyone with information about the hit-and-run fatality to contact the Traffic Homicide Unit of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-828-5754.
Tips can also be given, anonymously, to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
Emotional: The Hawaiian-born star is currently in the UK working on The X Factor: Celebrity