Breaking her silence.

Last week, it was announced that Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and famous entertainment talent manager, has sadly passed away at 48. He was the father to her two young children River, 11, and Remington, 9, and he also had two adult children from a previous marriage, Savannah and Seth. He became a grandfather in 2022 when his eldest child Savannah gave birth to a son, Lake.

Blackstock was also the stepson of Reba McEntire, as Reba was married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, for many years, from 1989 to 2015.

A rep for the family gave a statement to PEOPLE, confirming his passing and saying he had been battling cancer for “more than three years.” They also thanked the fans for their thoughts and prayers, and asked for privacy during this very difficult time:

“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.”

Brandon had been fighting melanoma, and he and Clarkson went through a nasty divorce several years ago, as Clarkson filed for divorce from him back in 2020. They finally settled their divorce in 2022 after a longtime custody battle over their two children, though the battle made headlines for years and it seemed as though they were not on good terms.

Clarkson and Blackstock were married from 2013 until 2022, and they first met in 2006 at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards, when Blackstock was working as Rascal Flatts’ tour manager. Six years later, they reconnected at the Super Bowl and began dating. Blackstock later became Blake Shelton’s manager, as well as Clarkson’s while they were together.

And even though Clarkson and Blackstock were no longer married, and had been through a horrible divorce, a source told Page Six that Clarkson has been looking after him while trying to work and keep her residency, as well as popular daytime TV show, alive. They explained that Blackstock was “the man she loved” and still the father to her children:

“It’s been exhausting and so sad… Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father.”

It’s so tragic for his young children, and I know Kelly and the rest of his family, including Reba, are absolutely devastated.

Many of Blackstock’s friends and family have shared tributes and memories of him, including Reba’s only biological son and Brandon’s half brother Shelby. He posted a lengthy Instagram cation and collection of photos, calling it a “tremendous loss,” in addition to speaking about how much he learned from his big brother and what their bond meant to him:

“Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured. Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son. Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family—funny, bright, and full of life—and he will be deeply missed.

He taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever. For every treasured moment we shared, there are so many more we’ll never get to make together, but I know you’ll still be there. Every hunt, every flight, and in the everyday moments of life, I’ll feel your presence.

And although it may annoy you, you’ll have to watch me do it all just a little better, a little smoother, and —let’s be honest— looking far more handsome than you ever could in the process. We will always miss you, Brandon, and we will never stop loving, remembering and celebrating you.”

It’s all just so sad, but it’s clear how much Brandon meant to those closest to him.

During a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Reba said she loved Brandon “like he’s my blood”:

“Brandon’s been my son forever, it seems like. Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my blood.”

She was like a mom to him, and knew him from a young age, because she married his father when Brandon was just 13 years old. The couple were married for 26 years before their divorce, and she broke her silence on the loss on her son’s Instagram post.

She left a comment on Shelby’s heartfelt tribute and collection of photos, saying simply that she will “miss him so much”:

“Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much.”

It’s just heartbreaking, but hopefully the family is able to find peace in the memories they shared and knowing he is in a better place now, as Mrs. Dolly Parton put it.