Family sets the record straight on country music star’s death after false rumors

From left, Jon Dee Graham and Eliza Gilkyson at The Parish in Austin, Texas, United States. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)WireImage

After online speculation arose about how he died, the family of a country music singer is setting the record straight.

The family of Jon Dee Graham, who died at the age of 67 last Friday, has addressed the influx of fabricated accounts about how the Texas musician died.

“Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. There have been a bunch of AI videos speculating Jon Dee’s death (INSANE that people are doing that for clicks),’” Graham’s family wrote in a Facebook post Sunday.

“Given the fact that he is a public figure, we wanted to let people know that Jon Dee passed away due to a fall on Friday. His body was under a lot of strain from the surgeries,” the family wrote. “From what we have been able to deduce he was letting our dog out and fell. He died instantly from the fall according to the Medical Examiner, who only had to do a CT scan on him.”

Graham’s family announced his death on Facebook March 27, saying “he died after we waited outside for EMS to try to revive him.”

“We are still in shock and beyond devastated. We can not breathe. More information to come about a tribute to his life. For now please give our family time and space. Also asking for no drops bys. Our shock and grief is heavy,” the family wrote. “Our shock and devastating grief have left us in a place where we can’t take phone calls. Thank you for loving him.”

Graham made a name for himself as a solo artist and as part of some of Austin’s most innovative bands. Graham’s solo releases include the critically acclaimed records “Escape from Monster Island,” “Hooray For The Moon” and “Full.”

He joined The Skunks when they formed in 1978 and later joined The True Believers. Graham has also played guitar with acts such as John Doe (X, The Knitters), Exene Cervenka (X), Michelle Shocked, Alejandro Escovedo, Kelly Willis and The Gourds.

Graham has also had his songs covered by many artists, including Patty Smythe, Patty Griffin and James McMurtry. The Texas native is the only musician to be inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame three times. He was first inducted as a solo artist in 2000, again in 2008 as a member of The Skunks, and again in 2009 as a member of the True Believers.