What Happened to Kellie Pickler’s Husband? Details on Kyle Jacobs’ Death Amid His Parents’ Legal Battle

Kellie Pickler tragically lost her husband, Kyle Jacobs, in 2023, but a legal battle between Kellie and Kyle’s parents has brought his death to the forefront of the public’s mind.

What Happened to Kellie Pickler’s Husband?

Kyle died in February 2023 at the age of 49. On February 17, 2023, officers with the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a man who died by gunshot at Kellie’s home.

“Nashville’s Department of Emergency Communications received a 911 call at 1:21 p.m. Friday from a home on Sneed Road in the police department’s West Precinct. Officers and Nashville Fire Department personnel responded and located resident Kyle Jacobs, 49, deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in an upstairs bedroom/office,” a statement from Nashville police given to Variety read. “His death is being investigated as an apparent suicide. Mr. Jacobs’ wife, Kellie Pickler, reported that she awoke a short time earlier, did not see her husband, and began looking for him. After she and her personal assistant were unable to open the door to the upstairs bedroom/office, the assistant telephoned 911.”

Six months later, Kellie broke her silence on Kyle’s death.

“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,’” the American Idol alum told People in an interview published on August 17, 2023. “I have chosen to heed his advice.”

She added, “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.”

Why Are Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs’ Parents in a Legal Battle?

On November 27, 2024, In Touch exclusively reported that the “Somewhere Somewhere Tonight” singer filed a petition against Kyle’s parents, Sharon and Reed Jacobs, who serve as the coadministrators of Kyle’s estate after Kellie declined to take on the role after her husband’s death.

“A dispute has arisen amongst the parties regarding certain personal property allegedly [Kyle’s] possession prior to his death,” read the documents viewed by In Touch.

Kellie’s lawyer claimed that Reed and Sharon “have demanded — via a subpoena issued in the probate estate directed to [Kellie] — that [Kellie] deliver to the possession of their legal counsel.”

“Included in the List of Assets are items that [Kellie] either does not have in her possession or over which right, title and possession are disputed,” the attorney continued.

Kellie also alleged that Kyle’s parents “entered [her] home and obtained items of personal property after [Kyle’s] death” and have not acquiesced to her demands that they turn over a list of items they took from the home.

Kyle Jacobs’ Parents Claimed Kellie Pickler Was ‘In Violation of a Subpoena’

In Reed and Sharon’s response to Kellie’s petition, they claimed that the “Best Days of Your Life” artist wasn’t being truthful by saying that she didn’t know where the items they requested to be returned were located. By not returning the items, Kyle’s parents’ legal team alleged that Kellie was “in violation of a subpoena.”

“[Kellie] and her counsel have provided conflicting information regarding the location and rightful possession of the items listed and, as set forth hereinabove, have admitted [Kellie] is in possession of several items of property of [Kyle],” the court documents read.

While Reed and Sharon admitted to visiting Kellie’s home, they maintained that they only took items that were in the garage and were ones that had been selected by Kellie herself.

Furthermore, Kyle’s parents claimed that they only visited the home “at the express invitation of [Kellie] and her counsel whom they met to discuss the transfer of items belonging to the estate.”

A source later told In Touch that the CMA was struggling with the ongoing legal battle.

“The whole ordeal is very upsetting to Kellie,” the insider told In Touch on December 11, 2024. “First, she lost her husband so tragically. Now, she’s fighting with his family. She just wants it to end.”