Obituary reveals Blackstock’s partner was Clarkson’s former assistant as he dies after a cancer battle

Brandon Blackstock, the former husband of Kelly Clarkson, has died aged 48 following a long battle with melanoma. His obituary has revealed he was in a loving relationship with Brittney Marie Jones — Clarkson’s former personal assistant — at the time of his death.

Blackstock passed away on 7 August, surrounded by family, after more than three years of treatment for the disease. His family issued a statement thanking the public for their prayers and requesting privacy during what they called a “very difficult time.”

The obituary, released on Tuesday, painted a portrait of a man who, after two decades in the music industry, embraced the cowboy life he had long desired. It stated that Blackstock found “a homestead and a love” in Butte, Montana, where he and Jones built a personal and professional life together.

The pair co-founded Headwaters Livestock Auction and Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana. The rodeo, described as a showcase for both amateur and professional talent, is dedicated to preserving the Western lifestyle. Events range from bull riding to barrel racing, with the business positioned as part of Blackstock’s enduring legacy.

Jones, whose LinkedIn profile confirmed her previous role assisting Clarkson under Blackstock’s management, later transitioned to working full-time for his cattle operation in Montana. She also served as his personal assistant during their years together.

The connection between Jones and Clarkson dates back to the singer’s career in Los Angeles, where Jones was part of the team handling Clarkson’s music and television commitments. The revelation of her relationship with Blackstock adds a poignant layer to the couple’s history, given the turbulent end to his marriage with Clarkson.

Blackstock and Clarkson met in 2006 when his father was managing the Grammy-winning singer. They began dating after his separation from his first wife and married in 2013. The couple welcomed a daughter and a son during their seven-year marriage. Clarkson often spoke warmly about him in the early years, even releasing the song Piece by Piece in 2015 as a tribute to the love and stability he brought to her life.

However, their relationship deteriorated, leading to a divorce filing in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences. The split quickly turned contentious, with disputes over their Montana ranch and financial matters dominating headlines. Clarkson ultimately won ownership of the property but was unable to evict Blackstock, who continued living there.

The divorce was finalised in March 2022, with Clarkson agreeing to pay a $1.3 million settlement and substantial monthly spousal and child support. A year later, Blackstock was ordered to repay Clarkson $2.6 million after a court found he had overcharged her for management commissions. By May 2024, all lawsuits between the former couple were withdrawn.

Despite their legal battles, Clarkson publicly expressed regret over how the marriage ended. News of Blackstock’s illness emerged only recently when Clarkson postponed her Las Vegas residency dates in August due to his declining health.

Blackstock’s death closes a chapter marked by both personal and professional highs and lows. His late-life reinvention as a Montana rancher and rodeo organiser was far removed from his earlier years managing artists like Blake Shelton.

In Butte, those who knew him described a man devoted to his new community, working tirelessly alongside Jones to grow their businesses. His obituary’s reference to her as his “beautiful and loving partner in life and business” cements her role in his final years — a connection that inevitably intertwines with Clarkson’s past, adding bittersweet resonance to his story.