TobyMac’s 21-year-old son Truett dies at home; fans share prayers for family

By Jeannie Ortega Law, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 24, 2019

TobyMac posing with his son Truett, photo posted September 4, 2017 | Instagram/TobyMac

TobyMac’s eldest son, Truett Foster McKeehan, also known by his stage names Shiloh, truDog and TRU, died at his home this week, a representative has confirmed.

"Truett did pass away at home in the Nashville area sometime Tuesday night or Wednesday morning," the representative said in a statement to USA Today Thursday morning about the 21-year-old aspiring rapper's sudden death.

According to the Davidson County Medical Examiner's office, McKeehan died on Wednesday.

TobyMac left Canada, where he was scheduled to be on tour for a week, to be home with his wife and four other children in Franklin, Tennessee.

"Cause of death has not been determined. Toby was traveling back from Canada and did not get home to be with his family until after midnight last night so there is no statement. We just ask that everyone please be respectful of their privacy during this time and allow them to grieve their loss," the representative added.

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A post shared by TobyMac (@tobymac) on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:34pm PDT

During the past few years, McKeehan released songs and videos online under his various stage names. He performed his first live show just a week ago to rave reviews.

McKeehan's friends and supporters took to Instagram with memorial messages Wednesday afternoon for TobyMac and his family.

"My heart is broken for the family and friends processing this tragic loss. Prayers for the pain to ease and for Hope to prevail through the darkness. Take care of each other!" one wrote.

Another message read, "Praying for overwhelming peace for your family as they now must find a way to go on living without you."

McKeehan was not a Christian artist but he did collaborate with his father on several tracks throughout the years.

TobyMac even penned a song titled "Scars," describing how his relationship with his eldest son changed after the young artist left home.

“Now you won’t take my phone calls, / You won’t text me back at all, / I just wanna see you, / I can’t stand to see you gone," the lyrics of the song read.

In 2018, the “I Just Need You” performer told The Tennessean how difficult it was for him to see McKeehan on his own.

"Up to now, [our home's] been a safe harbor, a place of love. And now, you know, I have my first kid leave home. He's going and facing this world. ... To watch and see him get cut and get bruised, it's not easy," the concerned father said.

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Truett Foster Mckeehan had joy that took the room when he entered. He was a magnetic son and brother and friend. If you met him, you knew him, you remembered him. His smile, his laugh, the encouragement he offered with words or even without. He had an untamable grand personality and dreams to match. And he hated being put in a box. He expressed himself through the music he made. And by made I mean, written, recorded, produced, mixed, and designed the art. All of it. A true artist. His first show was a week ago, and it was nothing short of electric. Everyone felt it, everyone knew it. He could’ve easily taken the easy route and put music out when he was 12, 14, 16, even 18, but he always said he wanted to live some life and have something to say before he did it. He didn’t want to be a child star, he wanted to be a man with scars and a story to tell. I always admired, respected and encouraged that stand. Truett always had a soft spot for God. The Bible moved him. His heart was warm to the things of his King. He was by no means a cookie cutter Christian but give me a believer who fights to keep believing. Give me a broken man who recognizes his need for a Savior every time. That’s who Truett was and how he should be remembered. My last moment with Truett in person was at his first show this past Thursday at the Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. I had to leave the next morning very early to fly and start our Canadian tour. As I stood in the audience and watched my son bring joy to a room, I was as proud as a “pop” (as tru called me) could be. It was the culminating moment of a dream that he had since he was 12. It couldn’t have been sweeter. Our music, and what we say lyrically couldn’t be more different, but the outcome was much the same… offering a room full of people a few minutes of joy in a crazy world. Our last text exchange is shared above (swipe). My wife and I would want the world to know this... We don’t follow God because we have some sort of under-the-table deal with Him, like, we’ll follow you if you bless us. We follow God because we love Him. It’s our honor. He is the God of the hills and the valleys. And He is beautiful above all things.
A post shared by TobyMac (@tobymac) on Oct 24, 2019 at 2:26pm PDT