Taylor Momsen mourns bodyguard Mason Haynes after fatal crash
The actress and musician paid tribute to Mason Haynes, her former bodyguard and close friend, after TMZ reported he died in a July 4 traffic accident.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Taylor Momsen is grieving the death of Mason Haynes, the longtime celebrity bodyguard she described on Instagram as family, a protector and one of her closest friends.
TMZ reported that Haynes died in a traffic accident on July 4, two days before what would have been his 53rd birthday. He was 52.
Momsen, an actress and musician, shared a series of photos of herself with Haynes from tour and wrote that she had been struggling for days to process his death. In the post, she said their bond came from spending intense stretches of time together while he worked by her side.
“When someone knows every dark secret about you and never judges, spends 24 hours a day with you seven days a week, you form a bond that is hard to explain,” Momsen wrote on Instagram.
She remembered Haynes as physically strong but gentle, calling him smart, artistic and focused on helping other people. Momsen also said his anti-bullying advocacy was a deep part of who he was.
Momsen closed her tribute by sending love to Haynes’ family and asking followers to support a GoFundMe shared in her Instagram story. She wrote that she could not believe she would never hear his voice again and urged people to hold their loved ones close.
A career guarding major stars
According to TMZ, Haynes spent years working in close protection for celebrity clients. The outlet reported that members of the Kardashian family were among his early high-profile clients.
TMZ said Haynes had previously named Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Kanye West among the people he had worked with. The outlet also reported that his client list included Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Charlie Puth and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.
Haynes’ work placed him close to some of the most recognizable people in entertainment and sports, but Momsen’s tribute centered on the private relationship they built away from the public-facing side of the job.
Family fundraiser launched
A GoFundMe started by Haynes’ family has been shared following his death. According to TMZ, the fundraiser is intended to help cover memorial costs and ease the financial strain on the family as they grieve.
Haynes is survived by his wife, Fay, his daughter, Brooke, and his son, Noah, according to TMZ.
Momsen’s post drew a large response from fans, with the Instagram tribute showing tens of thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Her message described a loss felt not only by her, but by many people who knew Haynes.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.