Tragically, the death of songwriter/producer Kyle Jacobs at age 49 comes as he was celebrating a high point in his career: An album he produced, Lee Brice's "Hey World," had just gone platinum, per Variety. Jacobs celebrated the achievement on his social media feeds, praising his "amazing crew of incredibly talented peeps" and exulting, "Thank you Jesus!!!"
Jacobs and Kellie Pickler were also a devoted couple, frequently seen on the red carpet at events such as the Daytime Emmys and the Country Music Awards. Jacobs' Twitter bio proudly boasted that he was "happily married to my best friend." Their engagement story was as heartwarming as they come: As Pickler explained in an Instagram post, Jacobs proposed to her during a sunset walk on Rosemary Beach, FL. He led her to a box buried in the sand: "It looked like it had washed up from sea, but upon opening it, I found a true treasure," she wrote. "Inside contained a journal that Kyle had written for me, a seashell with my Grandmother's name "Faye" written on it, and a beautiful engagement ring." The date, June 15, also happened to be the birthday of her grandmother Faye, who raised her. "It was like my beautiful angel, the one I call mom, was giving us her blessing."
Fans and fellow stars alike are stunned and grieving. Faith Hill tweeted an urgent plea to anyone in the midst of crisis to call a helpline. "Your life is valuable and precious," she urged.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.
