Angelina Jolie's aunt has lost her battle with breast cancer.
The Salt actress - who recently revealed she underwent a double mastectomy after she was identified as carrying the BRCA1 cancer gene, which gave her an 87 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer - and her family are in mourning after her aunt Debbie Martin, 61, passed away at Palomar Hospital in Escondido, California on Sunday morning (local time).
The Oscar-winner's uncle Ron Martin confirmed the sad news and praised the 37-year-old star and her brother James Haven for their support.
He told E! News: "Angelina has been in touch throughout the week and her brother Jamie has been with us, giving his support day by day. They both loved Debbie very much and although Angie is not able to come right now she has sent her love and support, which was very nice.
"We have seen Angelina a number of times since Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer and Debbie and I were both very proud of her recent decision to have the double mastectomy and to do everything she can to keep her family from having to go through what we've been through.
