By Washington Blade Staff
Melissa Etheridge's 21-year-old son Beckett Cypher died Wednesday. Etheridge tweeted that it was related to opioid addiction.
"Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction," she wrote on Twitter. "My son Beckett, who was just 21, struggled to overcome his addiction and finally succumbed to it today. He will be missed by those who loved him, his family and friends.
"My heart is broken," she continued. "I am grateful for those who have reached out with condolences, and I feel their love and sincere grief. We struggle with what else we could have done to save him, and in the end we know he is out of the pain now. I will sing again, soon. It has always healed me."
Etheridge and Cypher, who met in 1988 during a video shoot, have two children — daughter, Bailey (23), and son, Beckett, Rolling Stone reports. For several years after their births, people speculated about the identity of the sperm donor for the children. In 2000, the couple revealed it was rock icon David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Etheridge, who identifies as a lesbian, and Cypher split up in 2000, but they continued to co-parent. Etheridge is also the mother of 13-year-old twins, son Miller and daughter Johnnie, whom she had with ex Tammy Lynn Michaels.
Etheridge, 58, is now married to Linda Wallem. Etheridge had been giving regular home concerts since the coronavirus lockdown, which she has suspended.
"I will sing again soon," she said. "It has always healed me."
Grammy winner Etheridge is known for many hits including "Come to My Window," "I'm the Only One," "Bring Me Some Water" and "Like the Way I Do." She has continued recording and touring steadily since her '90s breakthrough. The Blade has profiled her many times. Her latest album is the 2019 release "The Medicine Show."
This article originally appeared in the Washington Blade and is made available in partnership with the National LGBT Media Association.
