Julia Roberts snubs half-sister's memorial

Actress Julia Roberts was a noticeable no-show at the memorial service for her half-sister Nancy Motes who committed suicide last month.

Motes and Roberts’ mother - Betty Lou Motes - was also noticeably absent from the service.

A number of stars from the hit TV show Glee, including Jane Lynch, turned out to farewell Motes who worked as a production assistant on the show. A job her famous sister reportedly helped her get.

Motes left a note behind blaming her family, including Roberts, for her demise.

"Nancy was a tortured soul," her fiancé John Dilbeck told Mail Online.

"She grew up in the shadow of a superstar. Julia's fame cast a cloud over her life.

"Nancy adored Julia but she became increasingly resentful of the way Julia behaved towards her.

"In Nancy's mind, Julia was a bully," said Mr Dilbeck.

Mr Dilbeck said that Nancy idolised her older sister, but ended up turning to drugs after an unsuccessful tilt at an acting career.

"Nancy was proud of Julia but she had severe abandonment issues," Mr Dilbeck said.

Roberts released a statement on behalf of her family after Motes died, saying they were "shocked and devastated".

Source: Radar Online, Radar Online

Author: Natasha Lee, Approving editor: Simon Black