American country singer and Lake Highlands High School graduate, Granger Smith, announced the sudden death of his three-year-old son in a tragic accident yesterday. While Smith did not reveal the cause of death, multiple reports indicate that River Kelly Smith drowned in an accident at their home.
Smith and his wife Amber both broke the heartbreaking news on social media yesterday, calling the tragedy “unthinkable news.” On Smith’s Instagram (@grangersmith), he reported that “despire doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived.” River’s parents decided to donate his organs to ensure that other children get a second chance at life, Smith said.
“Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father,” Smith posted.
In lieu of asking for gifts, the Smith family is asking for Donations to Dell Children’s Medical Center in River’s name.
The music community has been vocalizing their support for the family. “I’m so so sorry,” and “I can’t imagine what y’all are going thru,” Maren Morris and Jason Aldean told US Weekly.
Granger Smith, now 39 years old, grew up in Dallas, Texas and attended Lake Highlands High School. After living in Lake Highlands, he went to Texas A&M and lived in Nashville where he grew his music career. He now lives in Austin, Texas with his family and is an accomplished and widely-popular singer and songwriter. Having performed at the White House and at the CMA’s, some of his hits include “Backroad Song” and “Happens Like That.”