Claire Rupio, the widow of the late Christian Atsu, has disclosed that she occasionally sends text messages to her departed partner on WhatsApp to find solace and ground herself in reality.
Claire expressed the difficulties she has faced in coping with the loss of her husband and shared the emotional struggles their three children have been enduring without their father.
“When people say, ‘How are you coping?’ I don’t cope. I just survive every day. Mentally, you’re fine for a few days, maybe a week, but then lots of emotion comes,” she told The Athletic in an interview.
“Sometimes I message Christian on WhatsApp — I just need to let it out,” she says. “‘Why are you not here?’ or maybe one of the kids needs him.”
Atsu went missing under the rubble in the wake of the destructive earthquake that struck southern Turkey on February 6, 2023.
Christian Atsu was discovered dead under rubble in Turkey following the devastating earthquake, prompting an outpouring of condolences to be shared on social media.
His death shocked the football community and there were corresponding emotional tributes pouring in from all angles on the internet.
Twelve days after the earthquake shook the area, the Hatayspor winger’s body was discovered under the debris of his home in Hatay, southern Turkey, according to a statement from his agent, Murat Uzunmehmet. The 31-year-old had gone missing after the earthquake that occurred on February 6 caused his building to collapse.
His agent, Nana Sechere, said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.
