On the night of April 7, 2020, the family of music legend John Prine confirmed to Rolling Stone that he had sadly passed away from complications with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
He had been hospitalized since March 26 after developing “a sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms.”
John’s wife of 24 years, Fiona, had previously revealed her positive COVID-19 diagnosis on March 17. John was tested at the same time, but his test came back “indeterminate.” John eventually did contract COVID-19 as well, and was in critical condition at the time his family issued their initial statement.
Fiona continued to provide updates, telling fans John was “stable,” but not better. Her last update on his condition came on April 2, which was his 8th day in the ICU.
Unfortunately, the next time Fiona would be addressing the public on social media would be to speak about her beloved husband’s death.
On Wednesday morning (April 8), Fiona broke her silence on social media.
She wrote, “We have no words to describe the grief our family is experiencing at this time. John was the love of my life and adored by our sons Jody, Jack and Tommy, daughter in law Fanny, and by our grandchildren.”
Fiona said that although the medical team at Vanderbilt hospital did everything they could, John “could not overcome” the damage the virus did to his body.
She also detailed the final moments of his life, and she was able to be by his side, something that is not always allowed because of how contagious the virus is. In her April 3rd update, Fiona said she wasn’t allowed to be with him, but we’re so glad that changed.
Fiona revealed, “I sat with John – who was deeply sedated- in the hours before he passed and will be forever grateful for that opportunity.”
She thanked fans and friends for their prayers the last couple weeks and urged everyone to take the disease seriously and to follow the CDC’s guidelines.
Fiona ended the statement on social media by saying, “In lieu of flowers or gifts at this time we would ask that a donation be made to one of the following non profits thistlefarms.org, roomintheinn.org,nashvillerescuemission.org.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Prine family during this time.
See Fiona’s full post below.