Reverend Run and Justine Simmons Lose Their Daughter

At the time, the Simmons family’s life played out in front of television cameras: the MTV reality series Run’s House also featured Justine Simmons’s pregnancy, but their newborn daughter died shortly after birth. On September 29, 2006, the site reported on the tragedy in the family of Joseph Simmons, known as Rev Run of Run-DMC. The post at the time closed with condolences and good wishes for the family.

From Hip-Hop Pioneer to Preacher on MTV

Together with Darryl McDaniels and Jam Master Jay, Joseph Simmons is part of Run-DMC, one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history. He later became a preacher and called himself Reverend Run. Starting in 2005, the MTV series Run’s House showed his family life with Justine and the children. With her, in addition to older children from his first marriage, he has sons including Daniel “Diggy” Simmons and Russell Simmons II.

Grieving on Camera and an Adoption in 2007

Their daughter, Victoria Anne Simmons, was delivered by caesarean section and died on September 26, 2006, shortly after birth. The parents chose to allow the Run’s House cameras even during those days. Speaking to People magazine in March 2007, they explained in essence that God had given them something to get through in front of America. That was why they documented it, also to support other families in a similar situation.

In 2007, the couple adopted a baby daughter, Miley Justine Simmons. In the following seasons of Run’s House, she became part of the family, which the series followed until its end.

The old report contained medical details from a tabloid story; they were deliberately not included here.