The family of Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, is beginning to speak out after his tragic death at age 48. Brandon died on Thursday, August 7, after a private, yearslong battle with cancer. His brother, race car driver Shelby Blackstock, 35, was one of the first in the family to publicly address his passing.

Brandon Blackstock died on Aug. 7 while under hospice care at his home in Butte, Mont. He was "surrounded by his family" when he died. Blackstock had four children, including two with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson.

In the wake of Brandon Blackstock's death, Reba McEntire—who was married to the music manager's dad Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015—honored her former stepson.

An obituary for the late talent manager revealed that Blackstock was “building a life” with Clarkson’s former assistant, Brittney Marie Jones, as he lost his battle with cancer.