Juice Wrld's family break their silence over his death

Juice Wrld's family says he had 'so many people' in his life who wanted to see him beat his addiction. Photo / AP

Juice Wrld's family hope his death can help others battling drug addictions.

The 21-year-old rapper - whose real name was Jarad Higgins - died on Sunday after reportedly suffering a seizure in Chicago's Midway airport and his loved ones have spoken candidly about his prescription drug dependency and hope the "conversations started" by both his music and his passing will encourage other people to tackle their demons.

They told TMZ in a statement: "We loved Jarad with all of our hearts and cannot believe our time with him has been cut short. As he often addressed in his music and to his fans, Jarad battled with prescription drug dependency.

"Addiction knows no boundaries and its impact goes way beyond the person fighting it. Jarad was a son, brother, grandson, friend and so much more to so many people who wanted more than anything to see him defeat addiction.

"We hope the conversations he started in his music and his legacy will help others win their battles as that is what he wanted more than anything."

They went on to thank Juice's fans and friends for their support over the last few days.

The added: "We know that Jarad's legacy of love, joy and emotional honesty will live on."

Sources previously claimed the 'Lucid Dreams' hitmaker suffered a seizure after swallowing several Percocet pills when he learned federal agents were planning to search the private plane he'd taken from Los Angeles to Chicago.

In total, officers found 70 lbs of marijuana, some codeine and three guns on the plane.

Law enforcement sources reported he was bleeding from the mouth when the paramedics arrived on the scene, and although he was still alive when he was rushed to the hospital, he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.