Britney's alleged aunty grief

Feb 21, 2007, 8:00 GMT

Britney Spears' impending breakdown may have been triggered by the death of her aunt in January.

The 'Toxic' singer lost her aunt Sandra Bridges Covington - her mother's sister - to cancer in late January, and has had a hard time coming to terms with her grief.

Britney's aunt Wanda Bridges told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Last time I saw her was at the funeral. She seemed fine, but we were all very upset. She finds it aggravating. They can't lead a normal life.

"She's down to earth. They're a down to earth family."

Britney's mother Lynne - who encouraged her daughter to go to rehab for fear she might lose custody of her two children, Sean Preston and Jayden James - has now flown from her home in Kentwood, Louisiana, to be at her daughter's side in Los Angeles.

Britney sparked fears for her well being after she shaved off all her hair during to a visit to Esther's Haircutting Salon in Tarazana, California, on Friday (16.02.07).

Hairdressers had refused to shave her head, but Britney grabbed a pair of clippers and sheared off her locks herself.

An hour later she went to the Body and Soul Tattoo parlour and had pink lips etched onto her wrist and a black, pink and white cross on her lower hip.

(C) BANG Media International