Melissa Etheridge’s son Beckett tragically dead at 21

Singer Melissa Etheridge announced yesterday the devastating news that her 21-year-old son Beckett passed away on May 13. Beckett is survived by both his mothers, including Etheridge and her ex Julie Cypher, as well as his sister Bailey and his younger half-siblings, Miller and Johnnie Etheridge.Sharing the news on Twitter, Etheridge revealed that Beckett’s cause of death was due to an opioid addiction. "Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction," wrote Etheridge. "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."

pic.twitter.com/LZJI8M6m4s

— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) May 14, 2020

Etheridge added that she was grateful to those who have already begun reaching out with their condolences following Beckett’s death. “We struggle with what else we could have done to save him, and in the end we know he is out of pain now.” The Grammy-winner ended her message by promising she will continue making music. “I will sing again,” wrote Etheridge, who has been doing regular at-home Facebook Live concerts. “It has always healed me.”Following Etheridge’s announcement on Twitter, comments of love and support for the singer and her family began pouring in. Many of the notes of condolences came from Etheridge’s famous friends as well as other parents who have also lost their children to drug addiction.

all my love to melissa etheridge on the loss of her beautiful boy beckett ... no words #onlylove

— ROSIE (@Rosie) May 13, 2020

My heart is heavy for Melissa Etheridge, whose son Beckett Cypher has died at the young age of 21. Nothing is harder than a parent losing their child. We are with you, Melissa.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 13, 2020

News of Beckett's death was announced informally on Etheridge's Twitter account a few hours prior to the singer's heartfelt personal message. The team also cancelled a live stream concert that had previously been scheduled for the day.Beckett’s older sister Bailey also shared the news of her brother’s passing on social media. Posting a black and white picture of the four siblings as well as some throwbacks, the Columbia University grad wrote, “I don’t know what to say. Today we lost my brother. Too heartbroken and overwhelmed to be eloquent but appreciate all those who have reached out. I love you Beckett. Fly high and watch over us.”

 

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I don’t know what to say. Today we lost my brother. Too heartbroken and overwhelmed to be eloquent but appreciate all those who have reached out. I love you Beckett. Fly high and watch over us.

A post shared by Bailey Cypheridge (@baicypheridge) on May 13, 2020 at 6:44pm PDT

Etheridge and filmmaker Julie Cypher were in a long-term relationship throughout the 90s. Cypher gave birth to the couple’s daughter Bailey Jean in February 1997 and son Beckett in November 1998, using the same sperm donor for both children.In an interview with Parents.com, Etheridge explained the couple’s decision to use a donor they knew. "My partner Julie was adopted," said Etheridge. "She spent her early twenties looking for her real parents, so she had that sort of issue in her life. She wanted her kids to know who their father was, but the father didn't have any parental duties at all. It was just to know where they came from... That was important to her." After years of speculation over who the couple's donor was, Etheridge and Cypher posed on the cover of Rolling Stone with close friend David Crosby and their children in 2000.