Melissa Etheridge Breaks Silence On Son Beckett's Death

By Paris Close

May 14, 2020

Melissa Etheridge is grieving the loss of her son, Beckett, who recently died this week.

On Wednesday (May 13), it was revealed that Etheridge’s 21-year-old son had passed away. Outlets later confirmed his cause of death was due to an opioid overdose.

Speaking to PEOPLE hours after, Etheridge opened up about her devastating loss in a statement concerning Beckett’s battle with addiction.

"Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction," Etheridge told the outlet. "My son Beckett, who was just 21, struggled to overcome his addiction and finally succumbed to it today. He will be missed by those who loved him, his family and friends."

"My heart is broken,” she continued. “I am grateful for those who have reached out with condolences and I feel their love and sincere grief. We struggle with what else we could have done to save him, and in the end we know he is out of the pain now. I will sing again, soon. It has always healed me."

Beckett was one of two children Melissa shared with ex-partner Julie Cypher via artificial insemination along with sister Bailey Jean, 23. Years later, it was revealed David Crosby was their biological father.

Talking to 60 Minutes on whether her children needed a father figure at home, Etheridge said, "I do not believe that my children will be wanting in any way because they didn't have a father in the home every single day. What they have in the home is two loving parents. I think that puts them ahead of the game."

Our thoughts are with Etheridge and her family during this difficult time.

Photo: Getty Images

Melissa Etheridge
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