News : Former ‘American Idol’ contestant Douglas Kiker has died, aged 32

Former American Idol contestant Douglas Kiker has died at the young age of 32.

Kiker’s death was confirmed by his sister Angela Evans on Facebook on Wednesday (March 12). She wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker. He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many! [You’re] singing with the angels now Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go [through] this very difficult time.”

Another family member, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez added in a separate post: “Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today. He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh. I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him. My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker, you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma.”

Neither Evans nor Carrillos-Ramirez shared a cause of death.

Kiker appeared as the first contestant on season 18 of American Idol in 2020. He was featured in the premiere and sang Rascal Flatts’ ‘Bless the Broken Road’, which earned him praise from the judges and viewers alike.

Kiker, who was aged 27 at the time, shared that he was working as a garbage collector – which earned him the nickname The Singing Garbage Man – but had decided to pursue a career in singing despite a lack of experience. He shared at the time that he had a two-year-old daughter.

Doug Kiker didn’t make it too far in American Idol, ultimately being eliminated from the competition before the top 20 contestants were locked in. However, having made such an impact with his audition, Kiker was invited back to perform at the finale, where he was joined by Rascal Flatts. He sang with them for a virtual performance due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.

A year after his stint on American Idol, Kiker was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic violence.