Mac Miller Vigil: Fans Bid Farewell To Late Pittsburgh Rapper

PITTSBURGH, PA - Several thousand Mac Miller fans turned out Tuesday to bid farewell to the late rap star at a vigil that was part party, part wake and all Mac.

Swarming into Squirrel Hill’s Blue Slide Park, the place after which his 2011 debut album was named, people sang along to his songs, lit candles in his memory and told touching tales of his days as a budding rapper at nearby Taylor Allderdice High School.

Miller, 26, was found dead at his California home Friday of an apparent drug overdose. He
reportedly had struggled with substance abuse issues in recent months after his breakup with singer Ariana Grande and recently was charged with DUI following an auto accident.

Miller's death occurred barely a month after the release of his latest album, "Swimming." He was preparing to embark on a tour that would have brought him back to his hometown in November to play the Petersen Events Center.

Born Malcolm James McCormick, Miller grew up in Point Breeze and graduated from Allderdice, just blocks away from Blue Slide Park, whose iconic slide was given a fresh coat of blue paint Tuesday before the proceedings began.

At the top of the slide was a memorial to Miller that included photographs, portraits and flowers. That’s where fans gathered initially before packing the entire park for the candlelight vigil as dusk fell.

Here’s Patch’s video coverage of the beginning of the vigil:

Photos: Eric Heyl/Patch staff.

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