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Popular The Voice alum Ryan Whyte Maloney has died by suicide at age 44.
According to a People report from Wednesday, January 29, Maloney died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the coroner, who ruled his manner of death a suicide.
The popular Team Blake contestant from Season 6 was in Las Vegas, where he had moved and had even performed with mentor Blake Shelton at the country star’s Ole Red bar, where Maloney had a residency, just last year.
Maloney recently shared his story of struggle in a January 16 Instagram post about his birthday, where he reflected on his time on the national mega-hit TV show.
“When the opportunity arose to showcase my talent on The Voice, I was in a dire state during filming. Struggling financially, resorting to meager scraps for sustenance from the hotel garbage and hallways, while those around me reveled carefreely with their family like they were on vacation, I stood there, trembling with fear, merely surviving,” he wrote.
“A secret kept from all – moments before taking the stage, not only had I lost my voice the day prior, but tears streamed down my face. Thankfully, my parents were present to witness my performance,” Maloney continued. “To the audience, I was just another act in the show, yet to me, that moment was a battle for my future, a testament to my dedication to my craft. Persistence is key – never falter, never surrender!”
The Michigan native went on to make it The Voice‘s playoffs, and all four of that season’s celeb coaches — Adam Levine, Shakira, Usher and Shelton — turned their chairs, indicating they wanted to work with him. He ended up joining Shelton’s team, winning the Battles and Knockouts rounds with Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and Rascal Flatts’ “Easy,” respectively.
Maloney got knocked out of the singing competition during the Playoffs round, right before the Finals, after singing a song by the band Shinedown. (The singer credited Shinedown frontman Brent Smith in his recent birthday social media post, for imparting advice to him about being a rockstar.) Josh Kaufman, from Usher’s team, went on to win the season.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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