Anna Paulson
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The world was shocked of the news when Platinum awarding-winning songwriter Kyle Jacobs was found dead in his Nashville home. Known as the songwriter behind some of the most popular hits in country music, and the husband of American Idol alum Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs seemed to have everything a boy from Minnesota could ever have dreamed of.
How Did Kyle Jacobs Die? Here are the details of what we know so far.
[UPDATE] Kellie Pickler Breaks Her Silence
After six months of nothing, Kellie Pickler finally broke her silence following her husband, Kyle Jacobs’ tragic death in February. Taste of Country broke the news on Thursday, Aug. 17.
In a message released exclusively to People, Pickler stated: “One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘Do nothing, just be still.’ I have chosen to heed his advice,” the “If It Wasn’t for a Woman” singer said. “Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way.
“It has truly touched my soul, and it’s helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers.”
Taste of Country also noted that Pickler spoke of an intimate memorial planned for her late husband this fall, saying, “That is what Kyle would have wanted.”
Her final signature, “Love & Blessings, Kellie.”
[UPDATE] Celebration of Life
While Pickler has noted a memorial being planned for the fall, reportedly on Monday, Aug. 21, a reported celebration of life was had for Kyle Jacobs, according to the “Following the Kellie Picker Investigation” Facebook page. Many anonymous members of the group claimed to have attended.
“I attended the celebration of life service for Kyle today. It was a beautiful service that celebrated the man he was, the people he touched, and the legacy he left behind,” noted one user. “It was a room full of people who loved him. I think the best thing I took away from the service was summed up by the pastor at the end. Kyle wasn’t just a songwriter, he was a ministry of music. I’ll leave it at that. Goodbye, my friend, and enjoy your new heavenly home.”
Another wrote: “Before today, I had only seen one or two pictures of Kyle. Watching the pictures from his memorial hit me so hard. There was so much life and love in his eyes. All I could do was think in heartbreak how dreadful that day must’ve been. I just kept looking into his eyes and wondering how horrible things had to be for someone with such life in those eyes to want to take his own. Prayers for all who loved him. Justice for Kyle!!”
Another post noted that his family was given some of his cremated remains.
On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Taste of Country announced that the Aug. 21 Celebration of Life is now available for streaming online for fans to see. The three-hour-plus service “leaned heavily on his religious faith and music, featuring tributes from many of his friends and colleagues in the Nashville music scene,” according to the report. These tributes came from such people as Mike Curb, founder of Curb Records, country artist Lee Brice, and Jacobs’ great uncle, Dave Boyer.
In a statement shared by the family, it was noted that “Kyle was a Lover of Life!”
“He loved his family and his friends, and he earnestly showed love and brought joy to countless others he did not even know. Remembrances continue to come to us daily. He was known for his genuine, humble spirit and an ability to touch another person’s life in a moment. His ‘otherness.’
“Most importantly, he loved the Lord,” the statement continued. “Despite the world spinning around him, he would take the opportunity to listen patiently to the concerns of others, share some scripture or take someone by the hand and pray with them. These elements of love, kindness, and grace ran loud and clear throughout his ceremony, and his life.”
How Did Kyle Jacobs Die?
Kyle Jacobs died of an apparent suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In May 2023, three months after Jacobs’ passing, the autopsy reports from the Davidson County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death, stating that it was an “intraoral gunshot wound,” meaning he was shot inside the mouth.
The examiner’s report also noted that the “More Than a Memory” songwriter had no drugs in his system.
The autopsy report also indicated that Jacobs suffered health problems before his death, stating: “Adult white male with a history of pseudo seizures, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic alcohol use suffered a self-inflicted shotgun wound.”
Over the years, Jacobs has been open about his own struggles with anxiety and depression and has emphasized the importance of mental health.
In 2017, he told The Tennessean: “I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety, and I’ve found that talking about it helps. It’s important to break the stigma around mental health and let people know that it’s okay to seek help.”
Jacobs’ history of pseudo seizures noted in the autopsy reports also shows his potential mental struggles.
According to Healthline, while they mimic those experienced in someone with epilepsy, they are often signs of an underlying psychological condition. These can include PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, physical abuse, or other mental health problems like schizophrenia.
When the news broke, several fans via Reddit commented on the importance of seeking help for mental health.
“If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be alive anymore, please reach out and get help,” wrote one user.
Another user, however, noted how difficult this can be.
“There’s always a rush of ‘if you need help, reach out!’ comments when something like this happens, but for someone struggling, reaching out is the hardest part. …Please check on your loved ones, especially the people who seem the happiest, because you just never know.”
Was It Suicide?
The confirmation of suicide by medical examiners hasn’t stopped some from speculating whether the reported cause of death is the truth.
Just days after Jacobs’ death, an insinuated investigator named Tom Smith created the public Facebook group “Following the Kellie Pickler Investigation…”
Smith has stated the reason he created the group is “Simply due to the puzzling circumstances in which [Pickler’s] husband was found … and the dignity which all victims are entitled to under the law.”
He has listed numerous reasons for suspecting something other than suicide, including alleged rumors that Pickler was discovered having an affair, the suggestion of inconsistent circumstances, and more.
The post, dated Feb. 22, has garnered 101 reactions, 128 comments, and six shares.
Since then, the Facebook group has gained more than 52,000 members, as posts continue to suggest that foul play was involved or that there was conflict in the relationship.
One of the most recent posts made by a member of the group states: “Thought for the day….’ One day justice will come and find you. And I’ll be right there in your memory to remind you,’” the post reads, quoting lyrics to Pickler’s hit song “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You?”
“Haunting lyrics that quite literally could have described Kyle’s view of their relationship, IMO. Didn’t she know how much he loved her?”
To this, another user commented: “She did not kill him. She may have made his life miserable, but she did not kill him. He killed himself.”
“My heart breaks over all the negative words that are spoken. Kyle was a broken man, and she was self-absorbed and took advantage of a problem to make it larger than life,” alleged another member.
“She didn’t pull the trigger…..but she did. A loving spouse would have been by his side through all good and all bad. But wait it wasn’t a marriage it was a contract and it only protected her.”
Related: How did Kurt Cobain Die? The Mystery Behind the Rockstar’s Death
When Did Kyle Jacobs Die?
Songwriter Kyle Jacobs was found dead in the Nashville home he shared with his wife, country superstar Kellie Pickler on Feb. 17, 2023.
According to reports, Pickler awoke and went looking for her husband. When she and her assistant came upon the locked upstairs door and couldn’t open it, they called the police, who found Jacobs dead in the room.
How Old Was Kyle Jacobs When He Died?
Kyle Jacobs was 49 years old when he died.
Who Was Kyle Jacobs Married To?
Kyle Jacobs was Kellie Pickler’s husband. They wed on Jan. 1, 2011, six months after announcing their engagement on June 23, 2010.
Jacobs officially proposed to Pickler on June 15, 2010, at sunset on a beach. Knowing his future wife’s deep relationship with her late grandmother, who helped raise her, Jacobs chose her grandmother’s birthday to propose.
Keeping with that feel, the wedding took place on a beach in Antigua after the couple decided to elope instead of going forward with the extravagant Nashville wedding they’d been planning.
“It was perfect,” Pickler described later.
How Did Kyle Jacobs Meet Kellie Pickler?
Kyle Jacobs first met the “Red High Heels” singer in the later 2000s. Introduced by a mutual friend, the two recalled their first meeting during an interview with Us Weekly magazine in 2015, ahead of their I Love Kellie Pickler reality show premiere on Country Music Television (CMT).
Jacobs approached Pickler and said simply, “Hi, I’m Kyle. I’m a songwriter.”
To which Pickler said she thought, “Great,” rolling her eyes. “No, we started writing the next day,” she added.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on their 24/7 toll-free hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or dial 988.
Kyle Jacobs Obituary
Several outlets have reported on Kyle Jacobs’ sudden death, including Rolling Stone and The Tennessean.
Where is Kyle Jacobs Buried?
According to Find a Grave, Kyle Jacobs was cremated following his death. It is unknown where his remains are, but it’s reasonable to assume that they were given to his wife, Kellie Pickler.
What Were Kyle Jacobs’ Last Words?
While it’s unknown what his last words were privately before his shocking death, just two days before he was found dead, Kyle Jacobs took to Instagram to celebrate his friend Lee Brice’s fifth studio album, Hey World, being certified platinum by the RIAA.
“Platinum?! SWEEEET!!! An amazing crew of incredibly talented peeps put this one together…Deeply honored to be a creative part of it…Thank you Jesus!!!” Jacobs wrote, finishing the post with tags to Brice, Curb Records, and Curb Word Music Publishing.
Jacobs was a credited songwriter on three of the album’s tracks, including “Save the Roses,” “Don’t Need No Reason,” and “Do Not Disturb.”
Shortly after Jacobs’ death, Brice released “Save the Roses” as a single in honor of his friend.
Related: How Did Tina Turner Die? How the Queen of Rock Left This World
Who Was Kyle Jacob’s Best Friend?
Lee Brice and Kyle Jacobs were reportedly extremely close friends, having worked together for years collaborating on songs. Brice took to social media to remember his friend after his death.
“These past few days have truly been some of the hardest of my life. At times, I feel lost and buried under this deep sadness,” wrote the “I Drive Your Truck” singer on Twitter, a song that Jacobs helped co-write. “
Other times, I sit and remember all the times with Kyle that bring me comfort and make me smile. He was, without a doubt, one of the best people anyone could ever hope to have in their corner.”
Other artists and songwriters also remembered Jacobs in posts, including Clint Black, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Paula Abdul, as they shared memories of the late singer and expressed their sympathies for his wife and family.
When Was Kyle Jacobs Born?
Kyle Jacobs’ birthdate was June 26, 1973.
Where Was Kyle Jacobs From?
Kyle Jacobs was born in Bloomington, Minnesota, just 12.4 miles outside Minneapolis, where he later lived before moving to Nashville in 2000.
He is a co-founder of United Teens Encounter Christ (UTEC) in the Twin Cities and was a part of playing on the music team for the organization.
Where Did Kyle Jacobs Go to High School?
Kyle Jacobs graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School in 1991 and has since been inducted into the school’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame for his success in the music industry.
Where Did Kyle Jacobs Live?
Kyle Jacobs shared a home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Kellie Pickler.
How Did Kyle Jacobs Become Famous?
Kyle Jacobs joined the writing staff for Curb Records in 2003.
One of his biggest successes came with a co-writing credit on Garth Brooks’ 2007 hit “More Than a Memory,” the first of Jacobs’ songwriting credits that debuted at the top spot on the Billboard’s Country Singles chart.
With a number one under his belt, he became an even more sought-after writer penning songs for some of the biggest stars in the business.
Kyle Jacobs Famous Songs
“More Than a Memory” isn’t the only famous song that Kyle Jacobs has been involved with. Kyle Jacobs has written for a number of big names over the years.
He has had co-writing credits on such pieces as his wife’s “The Woman I Am,” Tim McGraw’s “Still,” George Strait’s “When the Credits Roll,” and Lee Brice’s “Rumor.”
He has also written for such artists as Craig Morgan, Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins, Clay Walker, and more.
In 2022, Jacobs celebrated reaching 46.5 million Spotify streams as a songwriter, noting “Rumor” as one of the many that attributed to the success.
He said: “Kinda cool seeing how a song created in a little room on Music Row can reach so many people. Feeling very blessed right now. … Thank you Jesus!”
What Song Did Kyle Jacobs Write for Kelly Clarkson?
Kyle Jacobs, along with Danelle Leverett, was a credited songwriter on “The Sun Will Rise,” the 17th track on the deluxe version of Kelly Clarkson’s 2011 Stronger Album.
Kyle Jacobs’ Net Worth
With a couple of number ones and several top 10 songwriting credits to his name, Kyle Jacobs was worth an estimated $10 million net worth at the time of his death.
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