Tyler Rich Finds Dead Body On New Year's Eve

Tyler Rich’s 2020 came to an end with a tragic discovery.

The country singer, 34, had been jogging in the woods of Chicopee Memorial State Park in Massachusetts on New Year’s Eve (December 31) when he came across a man’s dead body. The California-based musician, who was spending the holidays with his wife in her hometown of Chicopee, detailed the traumatic encounter on Instagram.

According to screenshots seen by PEOPLE, the “Feels Like Home” star said he saw “what I thought was a young homeless man sleeping … on his stomach and had a bag tied around his foot and was faced down,” assumably as a way to prevent thieves from stealing his belongings while he slept.

After “running around him,” Rich said he felt bad for the man — later revealed to have been named “Eric” and between the ages of 18 and 25 — whom who “looked like he was in a bad place,” so he “turned around and went back to check on him.” That’s when Rich noticed something wasn’t right.

"I realize he isn't breathing, and as I get around to the front of him, all I see is a lifeless face covered in blood. Everywhere,” Rich recalled. “Looked like maybe shot, or blunt force. At this moment I freak out and sprint up the steep hill to try and find anyone with a phone to call people (I only had my Apple Watch at the time). I find a couple walking on the main path about 30 yards away and used their phone. Spent about an hour doing statements with state troopers, FBI, local police, detectives, etc for a couple hours.”

Tragically, officers on the scene presumed the man in question, who was holding a gun under his body, may have died by suicide.

"I don't think anyone in the area could have found him that understood him quite like me,” the “Difference” crooner added of the man. “I really feel this was meant to be. I wish I got to meet him, have a beer with him, and talk about what was hurting him so much. I'm broken over this and I didn't even know him. Hug your loved ones as tight as you can today."

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Photo: Getty Images