The family of late country singer Luke Bell has spoken out about his passing at a very young age of 32. While an autopsy is pending, they have already concluded that this is linked to Bell's bipolar disorder and believe that the system has failed people with mental health issues such as him. To say that they are heartbroken is an understatement.
"We have lost our beloved son, brother, and friend and we are heartbroken," the singer's relatives said in a lengthy statement to The Post on September 1.
According to them, Luke was blessed with a kind soul, an adventurous spirit, and a talent for music that he generously shared with his family, friends, and the world. As Bell's primary loved ones, they feel humbled by the support Luke has received from his circle of friends and listeners. They added that they appreciate everyone who has been posting memories of good times spent with Luke on social media.
According to the family, Bell's mental illness started to worsen after his father passed away in 2015, and he ultimately succumbed to this condition.
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Bell had the love and care of many people behind him while he battled his illness. Despite this, he was denied the assistance that might have relieved his suffering, the family now said.
As they grive Bell's untimely death, they added that their thoughts and prayers are with the millions of people whose lives have been touched by mental illness and who, like them have experienced the crushing heartbreak of a system that has repeatedly failed to deliver compassionate answers to the needs of the suffering from mental health issues.
"As we navigate our heartbreak we respectfully ask for privacy to allow us room to grieve and honor his memory. Our only comfort comes in the fact that our Luke is finally free and at peace," his family concluded.
Bell's manager Brian Buchanan told TMZ that Bell had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had previously gone missing before his deadly abduction in Tucson, Arizona.
Despite the country star's best efforts, "the sickness got the better of him," as Buchanan put it.
On Monday, Bell's body was found in the Tucson region, not far from where he had gone missing 10 days earlier. According to the publication, he and fellow country artist Matt Kinman were in town to see Kinman's relatives and play a few shows.
Until an autopsy is performed, it is impossible to determine what killed Bell. Kinman, speaking to the music blog The Boot, speculated that a recent change in Bell's medication may have "played a role" in his disappearance.
Buchanan also revealed that the singer was supposed to be taking medication before he vanished, but that he had no idea if the artist was actually taking the prescription.
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