Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock’s official cause of death has been revealed.
Last week it was announced that the ex of the American Idol star, 43, had died at the age of 48.
‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,’ a representative confirmed to People.
‘Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.’
A few days on the publication reported his official cause of death.
‘Brandon Blackstock passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana on August 7th under hospice care surrounded by his family,’ Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis said, confirming that Blackstock’s cause of death was melanoma, a form of skin cancer and that the manner of death was natural causes.
The document has now revealed that Blackstock had cancer for three years before his death. Seizures were also listed as ‘significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause.’
Blackstock was a talent manager, who once managed Blake Shelton and Clarkson, and was also the former stepson of Reba McEntire.
His death certificate listed his occupation as a rodeo producer in the rodeo industry.
It also revealed that no autopsy was performed and Blackstock was cremated.
Clarkson and Blackstock began dating in 2012 before tying the knot in 2013.
News of his death was revealed publicly just a day after she announced the postponement of the rest of her August Las Vegas residency dates in order to look after the former couple’s daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, saying that her ex-husband had been ‘ill’.
Clarkson and Blackstock announced their split in 2020, and a bitter divorce battle followed, finalising in 2022.
In recent years, he had settled in Montana to focus on founding Vallet View Rodeo, going ‘under the radar’ following his career in show business.
‘He was at home in Montana,’ a source told US Weekly, reflecting on his last weeks alive and death.
They said he spent ‘more [time] than ever before’ with his family while undergoing treatment during the last six months of his life.
Clarkson was not caring for Blackstock, they said, but she made sure their children, River Rose, 11, and Remington Alexander, nine, spent time with their father.
‘She did spend a lot of time traveling with her kids to be with him,’ the insider shared.
‘He loved having his family with him and loved when the kids would visit,’ the source said. ‘He loved his animals and that was a passion he shared with his daughter Savannah.’
Blackstock also has two children – Savannah, 23, and Seth, 18 – with his ex-wife, Melissa Ashworth, from whom he split in 2012.
Savannah, who announced her second pregnancy just weeks before her father’s death, was allegedly ‘with him almost all the time’ in the end.
‘She has been having an incredibly difficult time. They were very close. Everyone is in shock,’ the insider said.
They continued: ‘Even a few months back he looked okay. He looked thin but he looked like himself. No one can believe it.’
Clarkson, 43, cancelled dates in her Las Vegas residency ahead of the news to ‘be fully present’ with her children.
‘While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,’ she wrote on social media. ‘I appreciate your grace, kindness, and understanding.’
While Clarkson is yet to comment publicly on the death of her former husband, it’s believed she is ‘devastated’, especially for her children.
‘When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,’ a source told People.
‘Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well.’
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