Granger Smith and Wife Amber Celebrated Son River’s 3rd Birthday Just Weeks Before Tragic Death
It’s always tragic when parents lose a child, but the death of country singer Granger Smith‘s young son continues to break our hearts. On Thursday, June 6, the musician revealed that his toddler son, River Kelly, had passed away in a devastating drowning accident. What’s worse, the accident came only a few weeks after the little boy’s third birthday. On May 16, Granger and his wife, actress Amber Bartlett, had taken to social media to celebrate their little boy, posting photos and messages of love for their youngest child.
“Someone is 3 today!” mom Amber, 37, shared on Instagram. “Happy birthday to our fearless, tractor and Lightening McQueen-loving, red-headed daredevil! He keeps us laughing, definitely keeps me on my toes, gives the best hugs and is as sweet as honey! We love our little Riv. 💚🍩🧁 🚗 🚜 🎉” Granger, 39, shared a playful message of his own in the comments of the post, adding, “He loses some street cred today since he did things no other 2-year-old did. Now he needs to raise the bar as a 3-year-old.”
The mama-of-three shared a collage of photos of her little boy and they were all too cute, giving fans a chance to get to know Riv a little better. Tragically, the birthday post is closely mirrored by the memorials both parents shared after the accident. Granger and Amber both posted their own photo with their son on June 6, writing, “Riv was special. Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed, and his light will be forever in our hearts.”
Since the news broke, the parents have received an outpouring of support. Celebrities like singer Maren Morris and Morgan Evans have reached out to send love and condolences. Morgan Miller, whose daughter with Bode Miller also passed away in a drowning accident, wrote that her “heart breaks” for the family. “Another baby gone too soon,” the 32-year-old mom shared on her Instagram Story. “It can truly happen to anyone.”
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