Kelly Clarkson's Ex-husband Brandon Blackstock Reportedly Died Of A Melanoma

The mystery behind Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband's shocking passing is finally over as his official cause of death has been confirmed.

Brandon Blackstock took his final breath on Thursday, August 7. His death came a day after his former partner revealed his health had deteriorated due to an undisclosed illness.

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock were married from 2013 to 2020. The "Stronger" filed for divorce that year, citing irreconcilable differences. However, their breakup wasn't finalized until March 2022.

According to Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis, Clarkson's former flame died from melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Based on his cause of death, Blackstock's manner of death was listed as natural causes. The coroner added:

"Brandon Blackstock passed away peacefully at his home in Butte, Montana, on August 7 under hospice care, surrounded by his family."

Blackstock died on August 7, with a rep for his family confirming the news in a statement to PEOPLE. "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," the message revealed.

"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 rep concluded. As stated, Blackstock's passing came a day after his ex-wife revealed he was ill.

Clarkson announced Blackstock's poor health in a statement to fans, noting she had to postpone the rest of her August Las Vegas residency dates. She explained that she needed to be there for her ex-husband and their children and implored fans for their understanding.

"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 shared.

A source shed more light on the situation, telling the outlet that Clarkson had been "devastated" amid Blackstock's illness. "When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake," they claimed, adding that she was "heartbroken" for her kids.

Following news of Blackstock's death, The Blast shared that a source claimed Clarkson had a hard time before and after his passing. "Kelly's life has flipped upside down with Brandon's cancer struggles and now death," they alleged, adding:

"She's been blessed with an incredible career and life, but once her marriage ended and once Brandon's health started dwindling, it has been very rough."

The source claimed Clarkson was in "mom mode" as the sole parent of her children, noting she was helping them navigate the pain of losing their father. They stressed that this period would be a challenging time for the singer, and her jovial persona might not resurface anytime soon.

The Blast covered Blackstock's final days, reporting that he spent the last six months of his life focusing on his treatment. Sources shared that he prioritized spending time with his family "more than ever," with Clarkson helping out.

Although the songwriter was not her ex-husband's primary caretaker, she reportedly helped by taking their children to see Blackstock often. Another source noted the late talent manager retreated away from the spotlight to Montana once his health started to deteriorate.

Blackstock previously lived in Clarkson's $10 million ranch in Montana, but he was forced to leave after their divorce. She won the property back in their settlement while he found a new place to call home in 2022. He purchased a $1.8 million property in Butte, Montana, where he took his final breath.

Although Blackstock tragically lost the battle with skin cancer, he wasn't the first celebrity to face this ordeal. Hugh Jackman was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in 2013 and had it removed, only to face more hiccups down the road.

By May 2015, the "X-Men" star had removed four cancers from his skin, per SunDoctors. Diane Keaton, known for her fair skin, revealed she stopped trying to tan her skin after getting diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on her face at 21.

Ewan McGregor reportedly had multiple cancerous moles removed from his skin in the early 2000s, while Khloe Kardashian had two moles, one of which was a melanoma, removed from her back. Another famous member of the KarJenner family, Caitlyn Jenner, had a basal cell carcinoma removed from her nose.

Rest in peace, Brandon Blackstock!