Country singer Luke Bell’s family says his death followed progressing mental illness

The family of the late country singer Luke Bell issued a statement on Thursday that shared their grief and explained into his worsening mental condition in his final days.

The singer, 32, was found dead on Friday after going missing earlier this months in Arizona.

Bell had been battling severe bipolar disorder for years at the time of his death, his agent previously revealed, and his family told TMZ that his mental illness had ‘progressed’ ever since his father died in 2015.

‘We have lost our beloved son, brother and friend and we are heartbroken,’ his family wrote in their statement.

‘Luke had a gentle heart, a wanderer’s spirit and a musical gift that he was fortunate to share with us and the world,’ they continued. ‘We are so grateful to his friends and fans for embracing Luke and his music. We would like to thank all of Luke’s fans, friends and family who have been sharing stories and photos of happy times with him.’

They continued, revealing that Bell’s struggles with mental illness had gotten worse in the past seven years.

‘Unfortunately Luke suffered from the disease of mental illness, which progressed after his father’s death in 2015,’ they explained. ‘Luke was supported through his disease by a community of loving family and friends. Despite this, he was unable to receive the help he needed to ease his pain.’

The family added that hey ‘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.’

Bell’s family included a plea for ‘privacy’ and ‘room to grieve and honor his memory.’ 

‘Our only comfort comes in the fact that our Luke is finally free and at peace,’ they concluded.

His business manager, Brian Buchanan, previously told the outlet that Bell had gone missing before and had done so several times in the past.

Buchanan described how Bell had tried to find ways to cope with his bipolar disorder and had been prescribed new medication, but was unable to find a workable solution.

He said: ‘Luke fought this as hard as he could, but the disease got the better of him. When he was beating the disease, he was the sweetest and most generous guy. 

‘He’s found peace now and there’s some comfort.’ 

In the past, when Bell disappeared his people were always able to track him down. 

Police say Bell’s body was discovered in Tucson after going missing one night while getting food together with a musician friend Matt Kinman.

The pair had been in the city to play gigs. 

Kinman is said to have searched for Bell’s body for ten days before his body was found. 

Police are still investigating his death while an autopsy will also be conducted to determine how Bell died. 

The Tuscon-based Coroner’s Office has confirmed his date of death as August 26, 2022, and the investigation remains active, The Sun reports. 

Saving Country Music reported Monday that the Hold Me crooner’s friends were worried about him because he had not been seen or heard from since August 20.  

Kinman who was with Bell in in the days before his disappearance said: ‘We came down here to Arizona, to work down here, play some music, and he just took off.’

‘He was in the back of the truck. I went in to get something to eat. I came out, and he’d got out of the truck and left.’ 

Kinman had been caring for the artist for several years and noted how he had recently changed the medication he took to control his condition.

Grieving fans posted comments of condolence such as, ‘Rest in piece mr rattle snake man,’ ‘So so sad, his light burnt so bright but too fast,’ and ‘Gone way too soon, hope you have found peace’ on Bell’s social media.

Luke Bell was born in Lexington, Kentucky January 27, 1990 and raised in Cody, Wyoming.

After graduating from high school in 2008, Bell moved to Laramie for college and began performing in a local bar band. 

A chance meeting with singer and songwriter Pat Reedy opened up the idea of making a go a music, according to an interview with Saving Country Music. 

The budding musician then moved to Austin, Texas where he would hone his skills at the Hole in the Wall bar, meeting artists such as Mike and the Moonpies, Leo Rondeau, and Ramsey Midwood.

The struggling singer eventually made it to Nashville and released his self-titled debut album in 2012.  

A review from Wyoming Public Media called it ‘an excellent concoction of old time southern country, lighthearted bluegrass, and dramatic, soulful blues.’ 

He followed that with 2014’s full-length album, Don’t Mind If I Do.  Bell’s last album, also titled Luke Bell, was released in 2016, around the time he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  

The Loretta artist’s final concert was at the Equiblues Festival in Saint Agrève, France, which took place in August 2017.

Video from the performance is the last post he made on Instagram. 

The singer and songwriter continued to create music. His final single, Jealous Guy, was released in 2021.