Cause of Death Confirmed For Kelly Clarkson’s Ex Brandon Blackstock

Less than a week after his passing at age 48, the cause of death for Brandon Blackstock has been revealed. The Nashville music manager who was married to Kelly Clarkson for seven years died peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana on Aug. 7 while under hospice care, surrounded by his family, according to a statement to People magazine from Silver Bow coroner Dan Hollis.

Hollis also confirmed that the cause of death was melanoma, a form of skin cancer, while the manner of death was natural causes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the Melanocytes, the cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. While the exact cause of melanoma isn’t known, most are caused by exposure to UV light from sunlight or tanning beds.

Following his death, Blackstock’s longtime employer, Starstruck Entertainment, issued a statement sharing the news. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” it read. “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.”

The news about Blackstock’s death came a day after Clarkson said she was postponing her August residency shows in Las Vegas so she could be with the couple’s children during Blackstock’s illness. Son of Starstruck co-founder Narvel Blackstock, Brandon was formerly the stepson of country icon Reba McEntire, who was married to his father for 26 years.

Years after meeting when his dad was Clarkson’s manager, the “Since U Been Gone” singer and Brandon married in 2013 and had two children together, 11-year-old River in 2014 and 9-year-old Remington in 2016. Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020 and after a lengthy legal battle they settled their split in 2022.

In addition to his children with Clarkson, Brandon is also survived by his kids with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth — Savannah and Seth — and a young grandson named Lake.