The husband of former “American Idol” contestant and country music star Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, has died by apparent suicide.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, a 911 call was made from the couple’s Nashville residence at 1:21 pm on Friday, the 17th of February 2023.
In a statement to police, Pickler, 36, said she awoke just before the incident and called the emergency service number when she couldn’t open the door to her upstairs bedroom.
Career Overview
Kyle Jacobs was a talented songwriter, producer, and musician who has worked with a number of country music artists, including including Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and Trace Adkins, among others.
In addition to Kelly Clarkson and Scotty McCreery, he has also written songs for his wife and many others.
Here is a list of famous country songs, written by Jacobs:
- “More Than a Memory” – Garth Brooks
- “Still” – Tim McGraw
- “Southern Girl” – Tim McGraw
- “The Good Life” – Faith Hill
- “Can’t Stop Love” – Sara Evans
- “Sleep Without You” – Brett Young
- “What Ifs” – Kane Brown feat. Lauren Alaina
- “Crawling” – Trent Harmon
- “Cold One” – Eric Church
Relationship with Kellie Pickler
The couple met during a taping of the television show “Nashville Star” in 2008 and quickly became close friends. They began dating shortly thereafter, and were married in January 2011, in a private Caribbean ceremony.
The two were very much in love and had planned to have children together. In 2022, Jacobs honored their 11th anniversary with a heartfelt post about his wife on Instagram.
Creatively, the Jacobs and Pickler collaborated on multiple projects, including the song “I Love You This Big,” which was featured on Pickler’s 2011 album “100 Proof.” They also co-wrote Pickler’s 2013 album title track “The Woman I Am.”.
“My husband knows me better than anyone else,” Pickler told USA TODAY in November 2013. “There was no way I could try to be anything I’m not, because he could definitely call me on it.”
In 2015, the couple starred on their own CMT reality show, “I love Kellie Pickler.” The series offered a peek into Pickler and Jacobs’ marriage as they juggled work and play. The show aired for 3 seasons, until 2017.
Friends and family are reacting to Jacob’s passing
The news of Jacobs’ sudden passing has sent shock waves through the country music community. Pickler’s former “American Idol” co-stars, including Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, have expressed their condolences on social media.
“My heart is absolutely broken for Kellie, Kyle’s family and friends,” Underwood wrote on Twitter. “Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.”
Clarkson also shared her sympathies in a tweet, writing: “My heart breaks for my friend @kelliepickler. We love you, girl. Praying so hard for you.”
The couple’s friends and family have also been expressing their grief. Jacobs’ brother, Joe, wrote on Instagram: “My brother Kyle was a beautiful man. He was kind, generous, and had the biggest heart. I will miss him every day.”
Kyle Jacobs was 49 years old.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time day or night, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
