The disappearance that led to Luke Bell’s tragic passing was not the first time he had gone missing, new reports say.
Bell was never able to fully cope with his bipolar disorder, and had disappeared in the past, but had always been found before, Bell’s manager, Brian Buchanan, told TMZ.
“Luke fought this as hard as he could, but the disease got the better of him,” Buchanan said. “When he was beating the disease, he was the sweetest and most generous guy. He’s found peace now and there’s some comfort.”
Bell’s body was discovered in Tucson, Arizona, on Monday, near where he had been reported missing 10 days beforehand.
He and fellow country singer Matt Kinman were visiting Kinman’s family and performing music, according to the outlet.
The two stopped to grab a bite to eat, which was when Bell went missing.
Bell’s official cause of death is pending an autopsy, but Kinman reportedly told music blog the Boot that Bell had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and that a recent medication change may have “played a role” in his disappearance, something that his manager confirmed.
Many country stars reacted to news of his death on social media.
“Man…Luke Bell…what the f***. RIP to a real one,” Joshua Hedley shared on Twitter. “Been a long time since I saw him and I was just talking about him the other day wondering what he’s been up to. Truly a sad night for country music.”
“Rest In Peace to our old friend [Luke Bell],” Erin Rae tweeted. “Heartbroken for him.”
Meanwhile, the band Mike and the Moonpies wrote a moving Facebook tribute.
“Word just came down on the passing of Luke Bell and we’re heartbroken over the news,” they wrote. “I can vividly remember the first time I met Luke at Hole in the Wall over a decade ago, down to the clothes on his back.”
They added: “The man (and his music) left an impression. He was a real deal traveling troubadour out there on that lost highway. Do yourself a favor and put on some Luke Bell tunes tonight in his memory. Rest In Peace, friend.”
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