Model and actor Jethro Cave Lazenby, professionally known as Jethro Cave, is dead at age 31. His father, musician Nick Cave, confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “With much sadness, I confirm that my son, Jethro, has passed away. We would be grateful for family privacy at this time.”
Jethro Lazenby was born in 1991, ten days before his half-brother, Luke, was born to Nick Cave’s first wife, Viviane Carneiro. Jethro’s mother is the former Australian model, Beau Lazenby. Jethro did not meet his father until he was seven or eight years old. In 2008, Nick Cave said of their strained relationship, “It was a difficult time, but it turned out great in the end. To my eternal regret, I didn’t make much contact with Jethro in the early years, but I now have a great relationship with him.”
Lazenby had a successful modeling and acting career, appearing in the films Corroboree (2007) and My Little Princess (2011). However, Lazenby’s life took an unfortunate turn. He suffered from schizophrenia and drug addiction, which his lawyer maintains impaired Lazenby’s judgment. Jethro was arrested in 2018 for assaulting his then-girlfriend, and in April of this year, he was arrested after assaulting his mother.
Jethro Cave Lazenby was released on bail two days before his death, the cause of which is unknown. For Nick Cave, this is the second son he has lost tragically. Arthur Cave, Nick’s son by his wife, Susie, died in 2015 after falling off a 60-foot cliff in Brighton, England.
*Cover photo by Stefan Heinrichs