WARNING: This article contains distressing content. The sister of gossip blogger Perez Hilton has spoken out, detailing the harrowing moment she found her brother in the bathroom “covered in blood”.
The 48-year-old entertainment commentator, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, was taken to hospital when emergency services responded to reports of concerning activity during a social media live stream on August 4.
The video, which has since been removed and led to the suspension of his TikTok account, reportedly showed the blogger self-harming in his Miami home.
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In an interview with Page Six, Barbara Lavandeira said August 4 will remain one of the “darkest days” for her family.
Speaking to the US media outlet on Wednesday, she bravely detailed the moment she entered her brother’s bedroom and discovered the bathroom was locked.
After managing to unlock the door, Lavandeira came face-to-face with her brother’s extensive injuries.
“When I opened the door, my nightmare became a reality. Mario was standing in front of the shower, naked, cut up, covered in blood,” Lavandeira told Page Six.
“What I can say with certainty is that I didn’t recognise my brother when I looked at him. I saw it in his eyes.
“They didn’t look the same. Then, a split second later, he smiled at me. It felt like I was staring at someone else.”
After making sure Hilton’s three children were safely out of the house, she called emergency services.
Lavandeira waited with her brother and placed towels over his injuries to stop the bleeding, until the ambulance arrived.
“He had already lost a significant amount of blood, yet he was somehow still able to speak, although his voice was very faint,” Lavandeira said.
“The ambulance took him to the hospital, and I stayed behind to speak with the crisis team that arrived.”
Lavandeira confirmed Hilton remains in hospital and continues to receive medical treatment for injuries to his face and other areas.
“His physical and mental recovery is going to take a lot of time, but we remain hopeful,” she said.
“Everyone’s focus is on helping him recover physically and making sure he receives the mental and emotional care and support he needs.”
Lavandeira also came to her brother’s defence, stating he is a good person who has expressed regret over the tone of some of his early-career scandals.
In the mid-2000s, Hilton’s blog often targeted celebrities with harsh nick-names, insults and body-shaming.
As of Thursday, Hilton had allowed his mother, Teresita, to begin legal proceedings to take over temporary custody of his three children — Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8.
Lavandeira said while she is “still trying to process everything” from that night, her focus remains on supporting her family.
“I keep going over that day in my head and wondering whether there were warning signs I missed or something more I could have done,” she told Page Six.
“I’m also trying to help my mother, my nephew and my nieces adjust to this new normal, if we can even call it that.
“We’ve been having open conversations, spending time together, praying and connecting with cousins and friends.
“We’re taking things one day at a time because that’s all we can do right now.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
