Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the death of Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock at age 48.   

Brandon Blackstock, who was a talent manager and the former stepson of country music icon Reba McEntire, passed away on Thursday, August 7 after a courageous three-year fight with cancer.

His cause of death was confirmed as melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in a statement from Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis to People on Monday.

A statement revealed: ‘Brandon Blackstock died peacefully at his residence in Butte, Montana on August 7th, under the care of hospice, surrounded by his loving family.’

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that develops in the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Melanoma, typically caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, often develops on skin areas frequently exposed to sunlight, the primary source of UV radiation.

Heartbreaking new details have emerged about the death of Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock at age 48 – pictured 2020

A representative for the family confirmed Blackstock’s death in a statement on Thursday which read: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.

‘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.’

The news of Blackstock’s death came hours after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remaining dates on her Las Vegas residency in August due to her ex-husband’s illness. 

Following the end of their decade-long relationship, Blackstock, who once managed Clarkson’s career, purchased the $1.8 million property in Butte, Montana, just weeks after their divorce was finalized in 2022. 

He and Clarkson shared two children — daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington ‘Remy’ James, 9.

He was also father to daughter Savannah, 23, and son Seth from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth. 

Blackstock was last pictured in March of this year, looking frail as he joined River and Remington at the Houston Rodeo with his brother Shelby and McEntire. 

Blackstock’s cause of death was confirmed as melanoma, a form of skin cancer in a statement from Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis to People on Monday – pictured weeks before his death with daughter Savannah 

He and Clarkson shared two children — daughter River Rose, 11, and son Remington ‘Remy’ James, 9 

He was pictured in March of this year (top left), looking frail as he joined River and Remington at the Houston Rodeo with his brother Shelby and McEntire

Blackstock posed with McEntire just five months before his shock death

The announcement of Blackstock’s death came hours after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remaining dates on her Las Vegas residency in August due to her ex-husband’s illness 

Blackstock’s father, film producer Narvel Blackstock was married to McEntire from 1989-2015 and they share son Shelby, 35 – pictured 2015

Blackstock’s father, film producer Narvel Blackstock, was married to McEntire from 1989–2015 and they share Shelby, 35. 

In a statement shared to X on Wednesday, Clarkson revealed that it was a health-related issue with Blackstock that forced her to step away from the stage.

‘Unfortunately, I need to postpone the remainder of the August Studio Session dates in Las Vegas,’ she wrote. 

‘While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.

‘I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,’ she concluded.

Blackstock and Clarkson began dating in 2012, before tying the knot in October 2013. 

The former couple were married for nearly seven years before she filed for divorce in June 2020.

Clarkson missed 10 show tapings in March for ‘personal reasons’ while celebrity friends such as Brooke Shields and Andy Cohen filled in for her.

Blackstock became her manager in 2017, and negotiated lucrative deals for his wife to appear on The Voice and to host her own eponymous talk show.

However, they separated in 2020 and after a lot of ugly give and take, finalized their divorce in 2022.

‘The irony is that he’s had a very positive influence on her life; he made these phenomenal deals for her, and she wouldn’t be here without him. But it’s hard to be a manager and a husband,’ an industry insider told Page Six.

Clarkson’s relationship with Blackstock began in 2012, and the two tied the knot the following year. They had both a romantic and professional relationship at first, as her husband also served as her manager – pictured 2018

‘At the time, she greatly appreciated what he had done for her career,’ they added.

‘Everything between Kelly and Brandon was stressful and intense and, like, one match away from a powder keg going off when it came to those ongoing negotiations,’ the source told the outlet.

‘And trying to keep the kids stable in the midst of all that is just hugely exhausting and draining.’