Early this morning,
The Tennesseean reported the sudden death of Truett Foster McKeehan, TobyMac's oldest son. The 21-year-old aspiring rapper and artist, who was often featured on his dad's work, was found unresponsive at home yesterday.
According to the Nashville Emergency Communications Center, the Nashville Fire Department responded to a call at the McKeehan home yesterday morning for a report of someone in cardiac arrest. A Nashville Fire Department spokesman confirmed that Truett was pronounced dead upon arrival. Truett's cause of death remains under investigation at this time.
While TobyMac and family have made no official statement yet, a representative for the family confirmed the tragedy to USA Today: "Truett did pass away at home in the Nashville area sometime Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Cause of death has not been determined. Toby was traveling back from Canada and did not get home to be with his family until after midnight last night so there is no statement. We just ask that everyone please be respectful of their privacy during this time and allow them to grieve their loss."
The shows on the remainder of Toby's current Canada tour have been canceled as he returned to his Franklin, Tennessee home late last night to be with his family during this time of grief.
The Christian music community has stormed social media today in support of Toby and the rest of the McKeehan family, sharing their memories and love for Truett in the comments on his
last Instagram post.
Fellow Christian music artist Danny Gokey shared his condolences via Twitter this afternoon: "Devastated & heartbroken for @tobymac his wife Amanda & his family. I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child. They absolutely need our prayers. Just like Arron & Hur lifted up the hands of Moses in battle, we need to lift this family up and be there for them through prayer."
Matthew West also took to social media to share his heart for the family: "Man my heart is so heavy for @tobymac and family right now. Toby has lifted so many of us up with his music and his example. Now, may he feel us return the favor and lift him and family up in prayer."
Please join us in praying for TobyMac and his family as they mourn the loss of their son.
Updated at 5:10 P.M. Central: TobyMac released a statement this afternoon, posting a tribute to Truett on social media. "Truett Foster Mckeehan had joy that took the room when he entered. He was a magnetic son and brother and friend. If you met him, you knew him, you remembered him. His smile, his laugh, the encouragement he offered with words or even without. He had an untamable grand personality and dreams to match. And he hated being put in a box.
My last moment with Truett in person was at his first show this past Thursday at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. I had to leave the next morning very early to fly and start our Canadian tour. As I stood in the audience and watched my son bring joy to a room, I was as proud as a "pop" (as tru called me) could be. It was the culminating moment of a dream that he had since he was 12. It couldn't have been sweeter. Our music, and what we say lyrically couldn't be more different, but the outcome was much the same... offering a room full of people a few minutes of joy in a crazy world.
My wife and I would want the world to know this...
We don't follow God because we have some sort of under-the-table deal with Him, like, we'll follow you if you bless us. We follow God because we love Him. It's our honor.
He is the God of the hills and the valleys.
And He is beautiful above all things," Toby wrote.
The full post can be
read here.
