Miks Dukurs opens up about learning of his sister Paula's death

Musician Miks Dukurs has for the first time spoken in detail about how he found out his sister Paula had died, sharing previously untold details in an interview for the "Jauns&Privāts" magazine's show "Trakas lietas."

Dukurs recalls that on the day his sister went missing, he had a concert scheduled. That same day, his parents asked to talk to him, and he sensed the conversation would not be an easy one. He initially thought they might want to discuss financial help for his sister, who was not working at the time, but what his parents told him turned out to be far more serious — his sister was gone.

An emotionally difficult period

Miks says he never could have imagined his family would have to face such a loss, and admits the experience is still extremely hard to deal with. After his sister's death, he cancelled several planned concerts, saying he was emotionally unable to perform.

Still, at one of Ķiģelis's concerts at the VEF Culture Palace, Dukurs did go on stage to sing a single song. That moment, too, was especially difficult — he recalls dropping to his knees in tears after finishing the song.

Circumstances of the tragedy

The 32-year-old singer Paula Dukure had been staying at the "Veldre" clinic of the National Centre for Mental Health in February but had left the facility's grounds and did not return. On February 14, State Police announced she had been found without signs of life, adding at the time that there was no suspicion of a crime committed against her.

Miks Dukurs says the tragedy has significantly changed his outlook on life, prompting him to reassess his previous values.