Country star Luke Bell’s family has broken their silence about his untimely death.
“We have lost our beloved son, brother, and friend and we are heartbroken,” the 32-year-old’s relatives said in a lengthy statement to The Post on Thursday.
“Luke had a gentle heart, a wanderer’s spirit and a musical gift that he was fortunate to share with us and the world. We are so grateful to his friends and fans for embracing Luke and his music. We would like to thank all of Luke’s fans, friends and family who have been sharing stories and photos of happy times with him,” they continued.
“Unfortunately Luke suffered from the disease of mental illness, which progressed after his father’s death in 2015. Luke was supported through his disease by a community of loving family and friends. Despite this, he was unable to receive the help he needed to ease his pain. Our hearts go out to the millions of people affected by mental illness who, like us, understand the devastating disappointment of a system that consistently fails to provide caring solutions to those who suffer.”
“As we navigate our heartbreak we respectfully ask for privacy to allow us room to grieve and honor his memory. Our only comfort comes in the fact that our Luke is finally free and at peace,” his family concluded.
Bell was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had previously gone missing before his fatal disappearance in Tucson, Arizona, his manager, Brian Buchanan, told TMZ on Wednesday.
“Luke fought this as hard as he could, but the disease got the better of him,” Buchanan said. “When he was beating the disease, he was the sweetest and most generous guy. He’s found peace now and there’s some comfort.”
Bell’s body was discovered in Tucson on Monday around the same area he was reported missing 10 days prior.
He and fellow country singer Matt Kinman were in town to visit Kinman’s family and perform music, according to the outlet.
Bell’s official cause of death is pending an autopsy. However, Kinman told music blog The Boot that a recent change in Bell’s medication might have “played a role” in his disappearance.
Buchanan told TMZ that the singer was prescribed medication but was uncertain whether he was taking it before his disappearance.
The Post has contacted a representative for Bell for comment.
