Eric Clapton’s life was forever changed by a heart-wrenching tragedy when his 4-year-old son, Conor, tragically passed away. This painful event would not only alter Clapton’s life, but also leave him with an unimaginable loss that would haunt him for years to come.

The incident took place on March 20, 1991, in New York City. Conor had been visiting the city with his mother, Italian actress Lory Del Santo, when the unthinkable happened. Conor fell from an open window on the 53rd floor of a Manhattan apartment building, after the housekeeper had finished cleaning and left the window unlatched. Conor, who was running around the apartment, tragically slipped and fell to his death.

Eric Clapton, who was in New York at the time, had been on his way to pick up Conor. Lory recalls hearing the fax machine beep as she was preparing to check on her son. “I heard the fax machine and checked it out before going to check on Conor. I walked in just a fraction of a minute too late. He had gone,” Lory remembered. She couldn’t shake the thought that had she not checked the fax, Conor would still be alive. The grief of this loss was simply overwhelming for both Clapton and Lory.

At the time of the tragedy, Clapton and Lory were no longer together, though they shared custody of Conor. They had recently reunited to spend time together, and Clapton had planned to take Conor on a trip to the Bronx Zoo the very day of the accident. The day before, on March 19, they had enjoyed a special outing together at the circus, marking their first full day spent alone. Clapton had even purchased tickets for the event, eager to make lasting memories with his son.

Conor had been full of joy that day, chattering excitedly about the clowns and elephants they had seen, and Clapton, deeply moved by the experience, expressed his desire to be a more involved father. He promised Lory that he would work to improve their relationship and spend more time with Conor. Little did he know that this would be their final day together.

The next morning, tragedy struck, and Clapton was devastated. In the days that followed, he withdrew from the public eye, consumed by grief. He brought Conor’s body back to England for the funeral, accompanied by Lory’s family. The small village of Ripley, where Clapton had grown up, was where Conor was laid to rest. Clapton found solace in this familiar, peaceful place.

Seeking refuge from the pain, Clapton left for Antigua, where he rented a small cottage and spent nearly a year in isolation. During this time, he avoided contact with the outside world and focused solely on music. “I just swatted mosquitoes all day and played this guitar,” Clapton recalled. Music became his only means of coping, as he poured his heart and soul into his songs. “All I could do was play and write these songs and I re-wrote and re-performed them again and again,” he said, hoping to find some form of emotional release.

One of the most significant ways Clapton channeled his grief was through the song “Tears in Heaven.” Co-written with Will Jennings, the song became one of Clapton’s most emotional and personal pieces of work. It was a reflection of his pain and a tribute to the son he had lost. The song’s deep emotional impact resonated with audiences worldwide, offering a glimpse into Clapton’s sorrow and his attempt to heal through his music.

In the midst of this overwhelming grief, Clapton received a letter that shattered him all over again. Just days before his tragic death, Conor had written his first-ever letter to his father, with help from his mother, Lory. The letter, which read “I love you,” was sent to Clapton’s London home. Tragically, it arrived after Conor’s death, further intensifying the heartache for Clapton. Lory vividly remembers the moment when the letter arrived just after Conor’s funeral. “It was Conor’s letter. That is a moment I cannot forget,” she shared.

Eric Clapton’s experience with loss and grief changed him forever. In the years that followed, he became an advocate for overcoming pain and healing, largely through music. Despite the tragedy, Clapton’s ability to channel his emotions into his music continues to be a testament to the healing power of art, and “Tears in Heaven” remains a poignant reminder of the love he will always carry for his beloved son, Conor.