Singer Luke Bell has been found dead in Tuscon, Arizona at the age of 32. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed and is pending autopsy.
The tragic passing of Bell was confirmed to the blog Saving Country Music by Matt Kinman, a close friend of the musician and fellow country artist. After having gone missing in Tuscon on August 20, he was found not far from where he initially disappeared 9 days later.
Having only released one album, Bell managed to capture everything country music is about in that release. After having spent a long time moving from city to city playing with a band he had formed, Bell eventually found himself in Nashville with the opportunity to record an album. Released on Bandcamp in 2014, Don’t Mind If I Do became a firm favourite amongst not only the independent country community, but also to bigger names in the industry. A top booking agent saw the star that Luke Bell was and put him on tours opening for huge names like Willie Nelson and Hank Jr. In 2018, Bell won the award for Best Honky Tonk Male at the Ameripolitan Awards.
Behind closed doors Luke Bell had been battling severe bipolar disorder. More recently he had been improving with thanks to treatment and medication. Unfortunately he took a turn for the worst, and when out in Tuscon with a friend, he ran off without a trace.
The news of Luke Bell’s passing has been weighing heavy on the community’s hearts. The legacy of Bell’s music remains and will continue to impact the scene for many years to come.
