Melissa Etheridge Mourns Son Beckett Who Died Of Opioid Overdose

BY Erika Marie 1.8K Views
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Melissa Etheridge, Becket Cypher
Melissa Etheridge, a celebrated entertainer worldwide, shared today that her 21-year-old sold Beckett passed away from an overdose.

On Wednesday (May 13), sorrowful news circulated that celebrated singer Melissa Etheridge was grieving the loss of her 21-year-old son, Beckett Cypher. The Grammy Award-winner has spent much of her time during this COVID-19 quarantine entertaining her millions of fans with at-home concerts, and because all seemed well with the singer and her family, the shocking news reverberated far and wide.

Initial reports didn't include Beckett Cypher's cause of death, but before speculative reports could make the rounds, Melissa Etheridge decided to share on her own that her son died from an opioid overdose. “Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction,” she wrote in a text image she shared on Instagram. “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.” We offer our sincerest condolences.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.