Country Singer Luke Bell, 32, Found Dead

Luke Bell, known for his hits like Where Ya Been?" and "Jealous Guy,"  has been found dead on Friday after he went missing earlier this month, according to officer Frank Magos from the Tucson Police Department. He was 32.

Bell was found dead in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday, the Tucson Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement Tuesday. Bell was officially identified on Monday. While a cause of death was not provided, police said the investigation is still ongoing. "The investigation is ongoing at the moment," said the police.

Matt Kinman, one of the singers very close confirmed Bell's death. He told Saving Country Music that Bell, who allegedly battled bipolar disorder, allegedly disappeared on Aug. 20 while the pair were in Tucson together after Kinman went to grab something to eat. "We came down here to Arizona to work down here, play some music, and he just took off," Kinman told the outlet. "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 told music blog The Boot that his friend had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, adding that a recent change in his medication might have “played a role” in his disappearance. TMZ reported that he was prescribed medication but his manager was uncertain when he was taking medicine before his disappearance.

Bell could never find a solution to cope with his bipolar disorder and had disappeared in the past, but was always found, the late 32-year-old’s manager, Brian Buchanan, told TMZ.

“Luke fought this as hard as he could, but the disease got the better of him,” Buchanan said. “When he was beating the disease, he was the sweetest and most generous guy. He’s found peace now and there’s some comfort.”

Luke Bell was born in Lexington, he started his career by singing at the local bars and released his first album in 2014 'Don’t Mind If I Do,' and later signed to the Thirty Tigers label, home to Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Greensky Bluegrass, Amanda Shires, and Lucinda Williams. Best known for his traditionalist honky tonk country tunes “Where Ya Been?” and “The Bullfighter” from his 2016 self-titled Thirty Tigers debut, Bell’s most recent release was a twangy 2021 cover of John Lennon’s 1971 ballad “Jealous Guy.”

His co-star and fans took no time to take it to social media to pay a tribute to him. 

"This is so very sad. I wish we spoke more about mental illness," wrote Jessica Chastain. "It needs the same support of any other disease. Please have a listen to #LukeBell today and honor this country soul who lost his battle. I hope he's finally found the peace he sought."

Margo Price tweeted her thoughts which mentioned a memory of them together.