Voice Alum Ryan Whyte Maloney Died On January 28
Ryan Whyte Maloney, who competed on Season 6 of The Voice in 2014, died on Tuesday (January 28).
Maloney auditioned for The Voice with an extraordinary performance of Journey’s “Lights.” He earned a coveted four-chair turn and chose country singer Blake Shelton as his coach.
Maloney was eventually eliminated during the Playoffs. After the show, he maintained a close relationship with Shelton and performed regularly at his Ole Red restaurant and music venue in Las Vegas.
“It’s great to have him here,” Shelton once said about Maloney when he was at Ole Red Las Vegas, as quoted by The Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I use Ole Red when I’m picking my team. I say, ‘You might not win ‘The Voice,’ but I have these places where you can perform.”
Sadly, the Review-Journal reports that Maloney died on Tuesday, January 28. He was 44 years old. A Clark County spokesperson confirmed the cause of death was suicide.
The Voice Issues Statement And Maloney’s Former Battle Partner Shares Tribute
The Voice released an emotional statement about Maloney’s death. They wrote:
“Ryan Whyte Maloney will always be in our hearts and minds. He was part of The Voice family, and he will be missed.”
Shelton has not publicly addressed Maloney’s death as of press time.
Cali Tucker, who performed with Maloney during the Battles on Season 6 of The Voice, shared a tribute to him on social media. They kept in touch after the show and formed a strong friendship.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever fully come to terms with losing Ryan,” Tucker wrote. “His laugh still echoes in my mind, along with every little nuance of his voice—the way it would shift when he was excited or truly happy. His energy was so vibrant, so full of life, even when he was hurting. Ryan changed my life in ways I can never repay.”
You can read Tucker’s full tribute to Maloney in the post below. Our prayers go out to his family, friends, and all who loved him.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, text “TALK ” to 741-741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.