American Idol alum Doug Kiker’s ex-fiancée Valerie Cook is speaking out one month after his sudden death.
After the City and County of Denver Medical Examiner confirmed the singer died from an opioid overdose on March 10, Cook is shining a light on his private struggles away from the stage.
“He has a long history of drug abuse,” Cook exclusively shared with Us Weekly on Thursday, April 17. “He had dabbled in a few different things, but all of this is kind of shocking,” she added, referring to the latest reports that her ex’s death was ruled an accident due to the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, methadone and amphetamines, with recent cocaine use.
Kiker and Cook, who broke up four years ago, share two daughters together. After their split, Cook moved the kids to Florida while Kiker ended up in Denver, Colorado. (She has since moved back to Alabama.)
Related: ‘American Idol‘ Contestants Gone Too Soon: Show Alums Who Died
While many budding musicians got their big breaks on the American Idol stage through the years, a handful lost their lives not long afterward. Nikki McKibbin, who appeared alongside Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on season 1, died in November 2020 at the age of 42. The Fear Factor alum, who finished in third place on the competition’s debut season […]
At the time of Kiker’s death in March, Cook said she was notified by an investigator that he died of a drug-induced heart attack and was in a hospital in Denver. On March 12, Kiker’s sisters confirmed his death on Facebook. He was 32.
“I don’t know if he had a cell phone,” Cook shared. “He never reached out, and he never tried to support [his kids]. Because of the history, I never reached out. I thought it was safer for the kids.”
Kiker rose to fame when he appeared on season 18 of American Idol in 2020. During his experience on the show, the singer performed a soulful rendition of Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road.”
Although he was eliminated during the live shows, he received support from the judges, including Luke Bryan and Katy Perry, who was brought to tears during his audition.
“For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing: He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody,” judge Lionel Richie said after his audition. “I want us all to let you know, you’re a hell of a man.”
When looking back on his fame from Idol, on which he was affectionately nicknamed “The Singing Garbage Man,” Cook said, “He enjoyed it and liked it and all the attention from it.”
Drug addiction, however, made his path to singing success difficult.
“He just wouldn’t stop doing [what] he was doing to pursue it further,” Cook said. “He had the means to do so and had people behind him supporting him. The drugs were just getting in the way.”
The late musician’s siblings have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses.
“He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many!” the singer’s sister Angela Evans wrote via Facebook. “You’re singing with the angels now Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go [through] this very difficult time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Read the full article here
