Country Music Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

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Gone, but not forgotten. The country music world has lost many of their biggest and brightest stars, from Naomi Judd to Loretta Lynn over the years.

The Judds singer’s daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, revealed that their mother died in April 2022 at the age of 76, after a long battle with depression. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” the sisters shared in a statement via Twitter. “We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”

Naomi’s death was especially tragic as it came just one day before she and Wynonna were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. “I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,” Ashley told the crowd at the emotional induction ceremony.

The “No One Else On Earth” singer — who announced one month later that she will continue on with the Judds’ planned reunion tour — held back tears during the heartbreaking event. “I didn’t prepare anything tonight because I knew mom would probably talk the most,” Wynonna said at the time. “I’m gonna make this fast, because my heart’s broken, and I feel so blessed. It’s a very strange dynamic, to be this broken and this blessed. … Though my heart’s broken, I will continue to sing, because that’s what we do.”

Ashley later confirmed that Naomi died by suicide while discussing the tragic loss. “She used a weapon … my mother used a firearm,” the Heat star said on Good Morning America in May 2022. “So that’s the piece of information that we are very uncomfortable sharing, but understand that we’re in a position that if we don’t say it someone else is going to.”

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She continued: “When we’re talking about mental illness, it’s very important to be clear and make the distinction between our loved one and the disease. It’s very real. It lies, it’s savage. My mother, our mother, couldn’t hang on until she was inducted into the Country Hall of Fame by her peers. I mean, that is the level of catastrophe of what was going on inside of her. … The lie that the disease told her was so convincing. … [The lie] that you’re not enough, the lie that you’re not loved, that you’re not worthy. Her brain hurt. It physically hurt.”

Six months later, the music industry lost another icon when Lynn died at the age of 90. “Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills, [Tennessee],” the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer’s family wrote via Twitter at the time. “The family has asked for privacy during this time, as they grieve.”

Shortly before her death, Lynn celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Old Opry. “This coal miner’s daughter gave voice to a generation, singing what no one wanted to talk about and saying what no one wanted to think about,” former President Barack Obama said at the September 2022 medal ceremony. “And now, over 50 years after she cut her first record … Loretta Lynn still reigns as the rule-breaking, record-setting queen of country music.”

After news of the songwriter’s death broke in October 2022, stars like Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire paid tribute to Lynn via social media. “[My] Mama and Loretta Lynn were four years apart, Mama being the oldest. They always reminded me a lot of each other,” the Big Sky star wrote via Instagram in October. “Strong women, who loved their children and were fiercely loyal.”

McEntire continued: “I always did and I always will love Loretta. She was always so nice to me. I sure appreciate her paving the rough and rocky road for all us girl singers.”

Keep scrolling to see more of the saddest and most shocking country music deaths:

Credit: Courtesy of Jake Flint Music/Youtube

The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths in Country Music: Jake Flint, Naomi Judd and More

Gone, but not forgotten. The country music world has lost many of their biggest and brightest stars, from Naomi Judd to Loretta Lynn over the years. The Judds singer’s daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, revealed that their mother died in April 2022 at the age of 76, after a long battle with depression. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness,” the sisters shared in a statement via Twitter. “We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.” Naomi’s death was especially tragic as it came just one day before she and Wynonna were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. “I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,” Ashley told the crowd at the emotional induction ceremony. The “No One Else On Earth” singer — who announced one month later that she will continue on with the Judds’ planned reunion tour — held back tears during the heartbreaking event. “I didn’t prepare anything tonight because I knew mom would probably talk the most,” Wynonna said at the time. “I’m gonna make this fast, because my heart’s broken, and I feel so blessed. It’s a very strange dynamic, to be this broken and this blessed. … Though my heart’s broken, I will continue to sing, because that’s what we do.” Ashley later confirmed that Naomi died by suicide while discussing the tragic loss. “She used a weapon … my mother used a firearm,” the Heat star said on Good Morning America in May 2022. “So that’s the piece of information that we are very uncomfortable sharing, but understand that we’re in a position that if we don’t say it someone else is going to.” [jwplayer EvMgtVgr-zhNYySv2] She continued: “When we’re talking about mental illness, it’s very important to be clear and make the distinction between our loved one and the disease. It’s very real. It lies, it’s savage. My mother, our mother, couldn’t hang on until she was inducted into the Country Hall of Fame by her peers. I mean, that is the level of catastrophe of what was going on inside of her. … The lie that the disease told her was so convincing. … [The lie] that you’re not enough, the lie that you’re not loved, that you’re not worthy. Her brain hurt. It physically hurt.” Six months later, the music industry lost another icon when Lynn died at the age of 90. “Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills, [Tennessee],” the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer’s family wrote via Twitter at the time. “The family has asked for privacy during this time, as they grieve.” Shortly before her death, Lynn celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Old Opry. “This coal miner’s daughter gave voice to a generation, singing what no one wanted to talk about and saying what no one wanted to think about,” former President Barack Obama said at the September 2022 medal ceremony. “And now, over 50 years after she cut her first record … Loretta Lynn still reigns as the rule-breaking, record-setting queen of country music.” After news of the songwriter’s death broke in October 2022, stars like Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire paid tribute to Lynn via social media. “[My] Mama and Loretta Lynn were four years apart, Mama being the oldest. They always reminded me a lot of each other,” the Big Sky star wrote via Instagram in October. “Strong women, who loved their children and were fiercely loyal.” McEntire continued: “I always did and I always will love Loretta. She was always so nice to me. I sure appreciate her paving the rough and rocky road for all us girl singers.” Keep scrolling to see more of the saddest and most shocking country music deaths:

Credit: Richard Drew/AP/Shutterstock

John Denver

The country-folk legend — who penned hits like “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” — died in October 1997 at the age of 53 after his plane crashed in California. He was the only person on board.

Credit: Bill Zygmant/Shutterstock

Tammy Wynette

The “Stand By Your Man” singer, whose fame skyrocketed in the 1970s thanks to her collaborations with then-husband George Jones, died in April 1998 at the age of 55. In the years leading up to her death, Wynette battled health problems and substance abuse issues, although her cause of death was ultimately revealed to be a cardiac arrhythmia.

Credit: Shutterstock

Mindy McCready

Country fans were left reeling when the “Ten Thousand Angels” singer died by suicide in January 2013, just days after her then-boyfriend, David Wilson, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Prior to her death, McCready had been extremely open about her struggles with mental illness and substance abuse, even appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2009.

“She was amazing and had an amazing spirit,” her Celebrity Rehab costar Lisa D’Amato exclusively told Us Weekly at the time.

Credit: Courtesy of Kylie Rae Harris/YouTube

Kylie Rae Harris

Harris was just 30 when she died in a car accident that also took the life of a 16-year-old high school student in September 2019. “We are heartbroken to confirm that Kylie Rae Harris passed away in a car accident last night,” the singer’s publicist said in a statement to Us the time. “Everyone that knew Kylie knew how much she loved her family and, beyond that, how much she loved music. The best tribute to her unmatched enthusiasm for both is to spread as much love as you can today, and listen to music that fully inspires you.”

Shortly after the crash, police determined that Harris was speeding and under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

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Justin Townes Earle

The Americana artist and son of country legend Steve Earle died in August 2020 at just 38. “It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son, husband, father and friend Justin,” his family wrote in a statement shared via Facebook at the time. “So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys. You will be missed dearly Justin.”

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Naomi Judd

After a decades-long battle with mental illness, the Grammy winner died by suicide in April 2022. “She took my hand and she said, ‘My life is better because of you.’ Those are the memories that are starting to come through, more and more,” her daughter and bandmate Wynonna told CBS Sunday Mornings in September 2022. “I think when you lose your mother, a lot of that crap goes away, ’cause it doesn’t matter anymore. It just doesn’t.”

Credit: Courtesy of Luke Bell/Instagram

Luke Bell

The “Jealous Guy” musician was found dead August 2022, just over one week after he went missing during a trip to Tuscon, Arizona with friend and fellow musician Matt Kinman. “Luke fought this as hard as he could, but [his bipolar disorder] got the better of him,” Bell’s business manager, Brian Buchanan, later told TMZ. “When he was beating the disease, he was the sweetest and most generous guy. He’s found peace now and there’s some comfort.”

Credit: Donn Jones/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Loretta Lynn

“The Pill” singer, who earned 24 No. 1 hit singles and 11 No. 1 albums over her six-decade career, died in October 2022. “She showed us all how to unapologetically tell the truth. One of the greatest there ever will be,” Carly Pearce wrote via Instagram at the time. “I’ll be singing ‘Dear Miss Loretta’ with a little extra love tonight at the @opry ️ Now she really is a Honky Tonk Angel #RIP.”

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Jerry Lee Lewis

The rock and roll pioneer died in October 2022 at the age of 87 — two days after TMZ erroneously reported his passing. Lewis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame shortly before his death, but was unable to attend the ceremony due to health issues. “I tried everything I could to build up the strength to come today — I’ve looked so forward to it since I found out about it earlier this year,” he wrote via Facebook in October 2022. “My sincerest apologies to all of you for missing this fine event, but I hope to see you all soon.”

Credit: Courtesy of Jake Flint Music/Youtube

Jake Flint

The “What’s Your Name?” Singer, who was well known in the Oklahoma Red Dirt subgenre, died in his sleep shortly after his wedding to wife Brenda Flint on November 26. “We should be going through wedding photos but instead I have to pick out clothes to bury my husband in. People aren’t meant to feel this much pain,” his wife wrote via Facebook in November 2022. “My heart is gone and I just really need him to come back. I can’t take much more. I need him here.” A cause of death has not yet been announced.

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