what happened to kelly clarksons ex husband

Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, passed away at the age of 48 on August 7, 2025. He died peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana, surrounded by family after bravely battling melanoma, a form of skin cancer, for more than three years. The manner of his death was natural causes. Before his death, Blackstock was in a relationship with Brittney Marie Jones, who was previously Kelly Clarkson's production assistant. Blackstock and Clarkson were married from 2013 until their divorce was finalized in 2022. They share two children together, River and Remington. Kelly Clarkson postponed the remainder of her Las Vegas residency shows in August 2025 to be fully present for their children during Blackstock's illness. His passing has been a profound loss for the family, and Clarkson has been focusing on supporting their children through this difficult time. Blackstock was also known as the stepson of country star Reba McEntire and had two children from a previous marriage. This sad news was confirmed by the family and reported amidst expressions of respect and privacy for the family during this challenging period. Blackstock’s legacy includes his dedication as a father and his return to a cowboy lifestyle in Montana in his final years. Kelly Clarkson has since stepped back from the spotlight to mourn her ex-husband and support her family.