Official Cause of Death for Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock Revealed – Details

Officials have revealed the reason behind the death of Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 48.

The Silver Bow County Coroner ruled that Brandon Blackstock's death was from natural causes. The former talent manager and Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband had been privately battling illness for years, drawing concern from loved ones and prompting heartfelt tributes from his family.

As reported by Fox News Digital, officials confirmed the underlying cause was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Coroner Dan Hollis said Brandon died on August 7 at his home in Butte, Montana, under hospice care.

The coroner's confirmation came after his family announced his death in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away."

The family added, "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."

According to People, Brandon moved to Montana shortly after his diagnosis and purchased the home where he spent his final days. A separate source told the outlet how Kelly felt as her ex-husband faced health struggles. The pair share two children, River Rose and Remington Blackstock.

The source said, "When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake. Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She's been devastated for the kids."

As those close to him reflected on his final years, Brandon's son from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth, Seth Blackstock, honored his father in a heartfelt Instagram post on August 8.

"I lost my hero yesterday, words can't describe how proud of you I am on [sic] raising me and your 3 other kids. You were a father, a son, a brother, and most importantly my best friend," Seth's post read.

Seth reflected on how he would now carry on life knowing his father was watching over him, expressing that no one could compare to the man his dad had been.

He said he would think of him every day and fondly recalled his father's skill and passion for hunting, joking that wildlife would be relieved with his passing. He ended by looking forward to one day fishing with him again and closed with a loving farewell.

Seth shared a series of personal photos with his father, capturing moments from childhood through recent years — from family time and pets to ranch work, rodeos, and horseback riding.

Brandon’s passing has cast a personal shadow over Kelly’s career, even as plans for the future of her talk show take shape.

She is reportedly returning for the seventh season of NBC's "The Kelly Clarkson Show" later this year, with new episodes expected in September, though an exact date has not been confirmed.

TMZ broke the news on August 8, months after Kelly stepped away from the talk show in March of this year. Fans began noticing her absence when several celebrity guest hosts filled in for her while she was away.

Sources later confirmed that the "Catch My Breath" singer's hiatus was due to Brandon's illness and, eventually, his death.

Kelly's staff on her namesake show reportedly knew about Brandon's health battles, but kept it quiet out of respect for the former couple's privacy.

Just a day before his death, Kelly had announced that she was postponing the August dates of her "Studio Sessions" residency in Las Vegas. The artist said at the time that she needed to be "fully present" for her children amid their father's illness.

Country star Reba McEntire, Brandon's former stepmother, was also a steady presence for the Blackstock family in the months leading up to the music manager's death.

Although divorced from Brandon's father, Narvel Blackstock, Reba showed her support at family gatherings and events. "Reba has spent more time with the Blackstock crew in the past year than in years prior," a source told Us Weekly, adding that past years had been "contentious."

"They really came together," the source said. In March, Reba even brought the entire family to the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she was a headliner, turning the trip into a family getaway.

"When she did her rodeo concert, which was a big deal for her, she flew out the entire family and they made a family vacation out of it," the insider continued. "They all spent a lot of time together."

Shelby Blackstock, Reba and Narvel's only son, shared several photos from the event on Instagram. In many of the images, Shelby can be seen posing alongside his loved ones, including his wife, Marissa, Reba, and her current partner, Rex Linn.

Brandon and his eldest daughter, Savannah Blackstock — whom he welcomed with ex-wife Melissa, as well as his son, Seth — were also in attendance at the rodeo, along with his sisters, Chassidy and Shawna.

"Narvel and his wife, Laura, and Reba's boyfriend, Rex, are at a place where they can be together and talk, which is a big step," the insider added. "Reba has a heart of gold, and she was there for Brandon and his kids. They are family at the end of the day."

Shelby gave fans a glimpse of that familial bond with a heartfelt tribute to his brother on Instagram. "Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured. Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son," Shelby began.

"Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family—funny, bright, and full of life—and he will be deeply missed," he continued. "He taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever."

Shelby reflected that while there were many cherished memories with Brandon, there were countless more they would never get to share. He said he would still feel his presence in everyday life and during favorite activities like hunting and flying.

Adding a touch of humor, he remarked that Brandon would now be watching him do everything better and with more style, before ending with a promise that he would always be loved, remembered, and celebrated.