Kellie Pickler spoke for the first time since her husband’s unexpected death earlier this year.
Pickler married Kyle Jacobs, a songwriter, vocalist and musician, in 2011. On February 17, Metro Nashville Police Department officials confirmed Jacobs’ identity when they responded to a 911 call at Pickler’s Nashville home. Jacobs died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 49.
Pickler, 37, shared a statement with PEOPLE on Thursday (August 17), speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy months ago. The country star and American Idol alum said:
“One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.’ I have chosen to heed his advice. Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way. It has truly touched my soul and it’s helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers. I am planning an intimate memorial for my husband, which will happen later this fall, that is what Kyle would have wanted.”
Jacobs’ autopsy confirmed his cause of death earlier this year. Responding officers stated that Pickler, who starred in the CMT series I Love Pickler with Jacobs beginning in 2015, was asleep at the time of the incident. She couldn’t find him when she woke up, and dialed 911 with a personal assistant when they were unable to open the bedroom door in the couple's Nashville home.
Jacobs’ death prompted an outpouring of tributes, including from Russell Dickerson, Brett Young, Jana Kramer and Lee Brice, who mourned the loss of his friend and remembered him as, without a doubt, one of the best people anyone could ever hope to have in their corner…I am eternally grateful for having him in mine.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is in emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.