Toby Keith’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The country music icon was best known for hit songs such as ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’, ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ and ‘Don’t Let The Old Man In’.
Throughout his acclaimed career, the Grammy-nominated singer had 61 singles chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, while his album sales totalled over 40 million.
Tragically, it has been confirmed that Keith passed away on February 5, aged 62.
In a statement his family posted on social media, it read: “Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family.
“He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Fans have taken to the comments to pay tribute to the ‘Red Solo Cup’ singer.
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024
One person says: “My condolences to the family. I will miss his music and his love for this country and our military. Rest in Peace friend.”
A second pens: “RIP to a true legend, one of the best to ever do it, and a die-hard bada** patriot who loved his country fiercely. You are now with Jesus, in a much, much better place.”
“I raise my ‘Red Solo Cup’ up to you Toby. Rest in Peace,” a third comments.
Another fan adds: “I loved this man and his music. Be at peace as I hope he is.”
While somebody else says: “This one just hits different! We will always miss you!”
Keith’s fans were also left heartbroken by the singer’s final Instagram post, in which he shared a video of himself waving goodbye to a crowd from the stage.
It was captioned: “And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all. Back to it.”
Following his passing, it’s been confirmed that Keith’s battle with stomach cancer is what led to his death, as per Today.
In 2022, Keith announced that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021 and was undergoing treatment.
The ‘I Love This Bar’ artist said at the time: “I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax.
“I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
At the People’s Choice Country Awards in September 2023 – where he accepted the Country Icon Award – Keith updated fans further on his condition.
“It’s a little bit of a roller coaster,” Keith told E! News. “You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but I feel good today.”
Dr William Chey, a gastroenterologist at the University of Michigan Health, tells Today that stomach cancer is ‘not one of the more common causes of cancer death, but the problem is that, when it’s diagnosed, it’s oftentimes late stage’.
He adds that in these specific cases, the cancer usually progresses faster.
Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucus, and three children.
