Doug Kiker, a former American Idol contestant deemed the “Singing Garbage Man, ” died on Monday (March 10), TMZ reports. He was 32.
Valerie Cook, who used to be Kiker’s fiancée and is the mother of their two children, shared the news of his death. She expressed sadness for her kids losing their father.
Kiker’s sister, Angela Evans, also announced Kiker’s passing. She mourned the loss of her brother on Facebook this week.
Evans wrote a heartfelt message on Facebook, “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker. He was so loved and will be missed by so many! Your singing with the Angels now Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go through this very difficult time.”
Kiker’s cause of death has not yet been shared publicly.
At 27 years old, Kiker auditioned for Season 18 of the hit reality competition show, which aired in 2020. Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Kiker told judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan at the time that he worked on the back of a garbage truck and had no performing experience. He won them over with a performance of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, even making Perry cry.
He earned a ticket to Hollywood, but didn’t make it further in the season. However, he was invited back for the Season 18 finale, per People.
In 2021, Kiker was arrested on charges of domestic violence.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, Kiker’s other sister, who also honored him on Facebook, launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral. The page was shared by GoFundMe’s X account on Friday afternoon.
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