Sir Rod Stewart and his family have been plunged into shock and grief following the death of a beloved young relative this week

Sir Rod Stewart and his family have been plunged into shock and grief following the death of a beloved young relative this week.

Rod’s daughter-in-law Nicole Stewart announced on Wednesday night that her older sister, Christina, has passed away at the age of 38. Nicole is married to Rod’s son Liam.

Sharing photos of her with her lookalike blonde sibling on Instagram, Nicole, 30, wrote: ‘My big sister gained her angel wings and I’m not sure how I’m meant to do life without her. She’s been my absolute best friend my whole life.

‘My protective big sis that always had my back. She made everyone feel seen, loved, safe. She was the glue that held us and so many together. Christina, I love you so much.

‘You loved big. You nurtured. You protected. And family was absolutely everything to you.’

Christina Artukovich lived in Los Angeles, near where Nicole and Nicole’s husband Liam, 30, reside.

Rod’s daughter-in-law Nicole Stewart (left) announced on Wednesday night that her older sister, Christina (right), has passed away at the age of 38

Under the post Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster wrote: ‘So heartbreaking. Sending all deepest condolences’

Ice hockey player Liam is the son of Rod and his second wife, New Zealand supermodel Rachel Hunter.

Nicole added: ‘There wasn’t a day she didn’t check in with each and every one of us. Her daily FaceTime calls, 30 texts at once… I now can’t imagine life without them.

‘I love you Christina. Our Beans. I’m so thankful for you. I’m so proud of the mother you were and the boy you raised. We have Roko [Christina’s son] now, thank you for giving us him. He shines your love.’

Her mother-in-law Rachel Hunter was one of the first people to share her condolences, commenting on the post: ‘My heart – for you and your family. Such a shock. She had Such an incredible energy she always brought into a space, a huge heart. My love to you all. ❤️ Godspeed Sweet Angel.

Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster wrote: ‘So heartbreaking. Sending all deepest condolences.’

Rod’s first wife, Alana Stewart, whom the singer was married to between 1979 and 1984, commented: ‘I’m so very sorry. God bless you and your family. Sending you love and prayers.❤️’

Liam also paid tribute writing on Instagram: ‘Beans…. my sister in law… you were one of my best friends, if not my best friend besides my wife.

‘I love you and I miss you being around a hell of a lot already. take care of us up there.’

Rod and Christina (circled in red) are pictured together at Liam and Nicole’s wedding in Croatia last year

Sharing photos of her with her lookalike blonde sibling on Instagram, Nicole, 30, wrote: ‘My big sister gained her angel wings and I’m not sure how I’m meant to do life without her’

The cause of Christina’s death has not been stated.

According to online reports, she was pronounced dead on Monday 31 March at 11:48pm.

The tragic news comes just weeks after Nicole and Liam brought joy to the family by welcoming their second child, a daughter, Elsie – named after Rod’s mum.

They also have a son, Louie, who is nearly two.

Rod had met Christina several times, and was most recently pictured with her at Liam and Nicole’s wedding in Croatia – where Nicole is from – last May.

Rod shared the photo on Instagram at the time, writing: ‘I’m immensely proud to have witnessed the beautiful wedding ceremony of my son Liam to his bride Nicole.

‘What a wonderful union of The Stewarts and The Artukovichs. May they continue to find joy, love and laughter for as long as they may live…’

The tragic news comes just weeks after Nicole and Liam brought joy to the family by welcoming their second child, a daughter, Elsie – named after Rod’s mum

Rod looked every inch the doting grandad as he met his fourth grandchild on last month after Liam welcomed his second child with wife Nicole.

The Mandy hitmaker looked elated as he posed for a picture with his wife Penny, 54, and the Stewart family’s newest member – baby Elsie.

Hockey player Liam, 30, and his wife Nicole already share a son Louie, 21 months, and took to Instagram earlier this month to introduce their new arrival.

In a caption, they revealed their daughter’s adorable name and the poignant meaning behind her moniker.

Announcing their new arrival, Nicole wrote: ‘Elsie Skylar Stewart. Our sweet little pea born 03/02/25.’

Her name is a heartwarming tribute to Rod’s mother Elsie Gilbart, who died in 1996 at the age of 91.

In the snap, Penny was glowing as she cradled the tot, with Rod looking thrilled as he cosied up to them.

Taking to Instagram to share the sweet picture, Penny quipped: ‘So proud to meet little Elsie, what an angel.

Rod boasts a very large family as he has eight children, with five different women. He is pictured with seven of his eight children and three grandchildren

It comes as Penny shared this snap to her Instagram Story on Thursday as she enjoyed some family time in the south of France

‘Nicole, Liam and Louie have their baby girl joining them in their new home and how harmonious their are @itsnicolestewart @discostew94 @sirrodstewart.’

Rod quickly reshared the picture and penned: ‘Another Stewart joins the clan’.

Rod has eight children, with five different women.

He has sons Alastair and Aidan with third wife Penny, and Liam, 28, and Renee, 30, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, 53.

Kimberly, 43, and Sean, 42, are from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart, 77, while daughter Ruby, 35, is from a former relationship with model Kelly Emberg, 63.

Rod’s firstborn child is Sarah Streeter, 59, who was raised by her adoptive parents Gerald and Evelyn Thubron.