When Melissa Etheridge Experiences the Deepest Loss of Her Son Beckett
Renowned artist Melissa Etheridge is sharing her heartfelt journey following the loss of her beloved 21-year-old son, Beckett Cypher.
“It took time,” Etheridge, 65, revealed in an exclusive conversation with Us Weekly on Friday, June 5. “I allowed myself to sit down and process it all. I thought, ‘How do I handle this? Since I can’t call you anymore’ — he used to text and call me daily. We spoke every day.”
She added, “During those moments, I miss him the most. So, I decided that I would go garden, take a drive, and engage in these activities. I’m committed to living my life, despite the loss.”
Beckett, the son of Etheridge and her ex-partner Julie Cypher, tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 21 due to complications stemming from opioid addiction.
“It’s with sadness that we have to inform you of Beckett’s passing. There will not be a Concerts From Home show today. – #TeamMe,” the singer announced via X, previously known as Twitter.
A year later, in a 2021 interview with People TV, Etheridge opened up about her son’s last days.
Melissa Etheridge (2nd L) with her son Beckett (2nd R), and daughter Baile Getty Images
“He was experiencing paranoia … Suddenly, he was involved with firearms,” she recounted, noting that Beckett became addicted to opioids after receiving pain medication for an ankle injury at age 17. “I tried to get him help. I wanted to call an ambulance for him, but he stopped communicating with me. For four days, I didn’t hear from him, and after two wellness checks, he was found dead.”
The times when she longs to call her son, yet cannot, inspired one of her recent songs, aptly named “Call You.”
“The song reflects my grief over the loss of my son, and it was the first one I wrote,” Etheridge shared with Us, discussing her latest album Rise and her performance at CMA Fest. “When I committed to creating a new album of original material, I realized I had to write about this experience.”
She continued, “I needed a way to convey my feelings about losing my son. It’s almost impossible to articulate such profound pain. However, I managed to encapsulate in this song how we can sometimes feel overwhelmed by guilt and shame.”
Etheridge expressed to Us that the relentless questions of, “Did I do enough?” and “Could I have done something differently?” can be overwhelming — but as a mother and partner, she had to “find a way to comprehend” her loss.
“These feelings can drive you mad,” she admitted, “and I had to recognize that, while he had choices in this life, it wasn’t my responsibility to save him. I couldn’t save him, and acknowledging that loss – while vowing to keep living for those still with me – is crucial. That’s what this song represents. I haven’t performed it live yet; I’m uncertain if I can, but it was essential to write it down.”
Currently, the potent opioid fentanyl is the leading cause of death for those aged 18 to 45, resulting in more fatalities each year than car accidents and cancer. As the nation grapples with the opioid crisis, Etheridge hopes for a brighter future for younger generations.
“I remain hopeful. I refuse to succumb. I want to thrive and create joy,” she told Us. “There’s still so much joy to be found, and I want others to see that too. Even with the melancholic themes in this album, the concert tour is meant to be uplifting and inspiring.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
