Authorities believe Kellie Pickler's husband committed suicide. He was 49.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Nashville Police Department confirms that the Department of Emergency Communications was alerted to a home on Friday at 1:21 p.m. local time, according to People.
When police and the Nashville Fire Department arrived, they discovered the songwriter "deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," according to the statement. "His death is being investigated as an apparent suicide."
The 36-year-old Dancing with the Stars alum said she awoke shortly before but couldn't find Jacobs. According to the statement, she and her personal assistant called the police after they couldn't open the door to a room in the house.
Jacobs celebrated a career win and shared a photo of Lee Brice's Hey World becoming certified platinum in his final Instagram post the day before his death.
"Platinum?! SWEEEET!!! An amazing crew of incredibly talented peeps put this one together…Deeply honored to be a creative part of it…Thank you Jesus!!!" he captioned the special moment.
According to Music City Hitmakers, Jacobs moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Nashville in 2000. He is best known for writing Garth Brooks' 2007 hit "More Than A Memory" and Tim McGraw's "Still."
He has also collaborated with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Randy Travis, Scott McCreery, Josh Kelley, and Clay Walker.
Pickler and Jacobs married on January 1, 2011, in a surprise ceremony. They have no children together. After dating since 2008, the couple got engaged on June 15, 2010, when Jacobs proposed on a Florida beach.
Overall, suicide is thought to be a complex issue influenced by many factors, including mental health conditions, substance abuse, life stressors, and social factors, and each individual's situation is unique.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global suicide rate is 10.5 per 100,000 people, with higher rates among males compared to females.
In the United States, the suicide rate is 14.2 per 100,000 people, with males accounting for 3.5 times as many deaths by suicide as females.
However, it's important to note that suicide rates can vary widely depending on factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and geographic location.
It's also worth noting that famous individuals may face unique stressors and pressures, which could potentially increase their risk for suicide.
However, it's important to avoid making assumptions or stigmatizing individuals based on their fame and instead focus on promoting mental health awareness and access to resources for all individuals who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
