Luke Bell, known for his songs “Where Ya Been?” and “The Bullfighter,” has died. He was 32.
Bell was discovered dead in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday, the Tucson Police Department confirmed in a statement to on Tuesday. “The investigation is currently ongoing,” police said. No additional information was provided.
A close friend of Bell’s, artist Matt Kinman, confirmed the musician’s death to Saving Country Music, which was the first to report the news. According to the report, Bell went missing on August 20 in Tucson.
has contacted the Pima County Medical Examiner’s office for more information.
Bell, who was born on January 27, 1990, in Lexington, Kentucky, got his start in the music industry while playing at
According to Saving Country Music, he worked at a local bar during his college years. He was raised in Cody, Wyoming, and his music took him to Tennessee, Texas, and Louisiana.
Luke Bell, known for his songs “Where Ya Been?” and “The Bullfighter,” has died. He was 32.
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He recorded his 2014 album “Don’t Mind If I Do” in Nashville, Tennessee, and released it on Bandcamp. He released a self-titled album in 2016. Bell’s most recent song, “Jealous Guy,” was released in 2021.
Bell spoke to the Los Angeles Times about his music career ahead of his performance at the 2016 Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California.
“I was listening to people like John Prine,” he explained to the publication, “then I moved to Austin for a couple of years and got into the Texas Tornadoes and that scene.” Then I traveled to New Orleans. I only stayed for about six months. In the Lower 9th Ward, I was living in a moldy trailer that smelled like bleach. It was difficult.”
Bell also discussed his “reclusive” personality and lack of involvement in Nashville’s songwriter community, saying, “I’m just trying to get my songs better and better.”
Margo Price, a Nashville-based country singer, paid tribute to Bell on Twitter.
Price wrote, “goddamn, rest (easy) to our dear friend, Luke Bell.”
A fan of the late singer responded to Price’s tweet with a selfie and described him as a “rad” person. Another Twitter user referred to Bell’s debut album as “self-titled.” and “one of my favorite albums This is so heartbreaking.”
“It’s been a long time since I saw (Bell), and I was just talking about him the other day wondering what he’s been up to,” singer Joshua Hedley said.
Hedley added, “Truly a sad night for country music.”
Singer Shelby Lee Lowe stated that Bell’s one album is “better than most artists will spend a lifetime trying to make.”
“So cool and so different,” Lowe wrote. “I’m sorry to hear of his death. I’m glad I found this record he made.”
Mike and the Moonpies paid tribute to Bell on Monday.
“Word just came down on the passing of Luke Bell, and we’re heartbroken over the news,” the band said in a Facebook statement. “I remember the first time I met Luke at Hole in the Wall over a decade ago, right down to the clothes on his back. The man (and his music) left an impression. He was a genuine traveling troubadour out there on that lost highway.