Brandon Blackstock Cause of Death: Melanoma Listed as Natural Causes in August Passing
Jordan Collins here. I guess I can simplify this for you, since you probably need me to.
Brandon Blackstock, the talent manager and former husband of Kelly Clarkson, died on August 7 at age 48, and his death has now been officially attributed to natural causes related to melanoma, according to Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis and reporting from People and NBC News. The confirmation follows earlier statements from Brandon’s representative, who said he had bravely battled cancer for more than three years and passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana, under hospice care with family by his side.
Yes, the headlines are sad and yes, you should know the facts. Brandon shared two children with Clarkson, daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington “Remy” Alexander, 9. He was also the father to Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage to Melissa Ashworth. His representative notified media outlets on August 7 that Brandon had been fighting a then-unspecified cancer for several years, and requested privacy for the family as they grieved. The coroner’s recent statement filled in the medical detail that had been withheld up to this point: melanoma-related natural causes.
How did the public find out? Less than a day before Brandon’s death was announced, Kelly Clarkson—who finalized her divorce from Brandon in 2022—posted on Instagram that she was postponing August dates of her Las Vegas residency because “my children’s father has been ill,” and she needed to be present for their children. Clarkson’s message was an unusually candid, brief explanation for fans who bought tickets to her shows. She wrote that while she usually keeps her private life private, this past year had been difficult because of Brandon’s illness, and she asked for understanding from fans.
Clarkson has been careful about what she shares on public platforms about matters involving other people’s health and children. In past interviews she explained that while she is comfortable being vulnerable, she draws a line when sharing information about others, especially her children. That boundary helps explain why Brandon’s lengthy cancer battle was not widely known until these recent developments.
Brandon’s death and the coroner’s cause-of-death statement close one chapter of a long, public relationship that involved marriage, children, and a high-profile divorce. Media outlets including People and NBC News reported the details, with the coroner confirming the melanoma link and the family’s statement noting hospice care and a peaceful passing at home. E! and NBC News are part of the same corporate family, which is why coverage carried across multiple platforms.
For those tracking the timeline: Kelly announced the residency postponement on August 6 and Brandon’s passing was made public on August 7. His representative’s statement confirmed a multi-year battle with cancer; the coroner then provided the medical clarity that it was melanoma-related natural causes. Those are the verified facts, not the gossip version you were likely handed first.
This news naturally raises questions about melanoma, early detection, and how families manage public and private boundaries amid serious illness. But for now the verified information is straightforward: Brandon Blackstock passed away on August 7 at age 48, after a prolonged fight with cancer, with melanoma cited by the coroner as connected to his death. The family has asked for privacy.
Okay, that’s the recap. Try to be kind if you share this; it was a family loss.
Well, now you finally understand.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People, NBC News, E! News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
