Staten Island-based hair and beauty expert, Barije Bia Duka, passed away at the age of 34. Her cousin Berat Islami took to Instagram to share the news of her passing on December 6, 2024.
Ghana Celebrities reported that Bia Duka died by suicide, however, further details were not disclosed at the time of publishing this article. According to the media outlet, Bia Duka hailed from Albania. Bia was married to Bimi Duka and they shared three children.
In his statement, Berat Islami described her as a “beautiful, genuine soul who gave so much love to this world.” He went on to add:
“She was the kind of person who made everyone feel special, always putting others before herself. Her love was endless, her kindness unmatched. I only wish she could have seen herself the way we all did—so strong, so loved, and so irreplaceable.”
Islami also shared that Bia Duka was often a source of inspiration who pushed him to better himself. He further wrote:
“She had this way of lifting me up no matter how low I left, always knowing the right words to say or simply being there with her presence. Her belief in me was unshakeable, and her encouragement gave me strength in ways she probably never even realized.”
He ended his official statement that was uploaded on his Instagram stories by reminding people to let their loved ones know that they are loved and “never alone.”
Netizens also shared tributary messages for the late beauty expert. The comment section of her latest Instagram post, which was uploaded on August 20 and featured her children, was flooded with several people expressing sadness over the loss. Some comments read:
Some netizens called Bia an "amazing person" and further commented:
Bia's Instagram account was filled with messages from friends who sent their condolences to her family.
More about Bia Duka as hair stylist passes away
Bia Duka had amassed over 19,000 followers on Instagram at the time of writing this article. Her Instagram bio included links to different websites like Amazon, Shop LTK, and Shop My, where followers could purchase items that the hairstylist had purchased as well. Her Instagram account was filled with pictures of her family alongside travel snippets.
On June 16, she took to the social networking platform to wish her husband for his birthday by sharing a carousel of pictures of her family. On August 1, she shared an image of herself alongside Bimi, which appeared to be taken during their wedding.
As per Bimi Duka’s Instagram account, it appeared as if he was employed at Silver Stone Sheet Metal, based in Red Hook, New York.