Luke Bell, a neo-traditional-country singer-songwriter who was well respected in the country community, was found dead on August 26 after going missing days before, Today reported. He was 32. Bell was reported missing on August 20 and found near where he was last seen in Tucson, Arizona. His friend and fellow musician Matt Kinman told the blog Saving Country Music that Bell left their truck when he stopped for food in Tucson. Per Kinman, Bell had recently changed his medication for bipolar disorder. Police told Today an investigation is ongoing.
Bell broke out after signing to Nashville independent label Thirty Tigers in 2016 and releasing a self-titled album, his third overall. Bell did not tour often, though he did score opening slots for Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam. He last released the single “Jealous Guy†in January 2021. Thirty Tigers founder David Macias called Bell a “true original†on Twitter. “From all at @ThirtyTigers, we send love and hope for eternal peace to our friend Luke Bell,†he wrote. “Thanks for riding a while with us.â€
Bell’s family released a statement on the death of the country singer Friday morning, explaining that he suffered from “mental illness†that progressed after his father’s death. “Our hearts go out to the millions of people affected by mental illness who, like us, understand the devastating disappointment of a system that consistently fails to provide caring solutions to those who suffer,†wrote the Bell family. “Our only comfort comes in the fact that our Luke is finally free and at peace.â€
This post has been updated throughout.Â