Ashley McBryde devastated after ‘unimaginable tragedy’

Ashley McBryde is grieving the loss of a friend so close that she was a member of his wedding party.

The singer shared her grief on social media, revealing that her friend Tyler Persun died unexpectedly earlier this month. His wife Brielle was also a close friend of McBryde’s. She shared a photo from the Persuns’ wedding, which includes the bride and groom as well as two more friends in bridesmaid dresses matching McBryde’s.

“We put our arms around each other in this time of unimaginable tragedy,” McBryde wrote, adding, “…I wanted to say more, but I just don’t have the words.”

She also shared a link to one GoFundMe established for the Persun family, which includes the couple’s four-month-old son, Colby. According to his obituaryPersun was 35 years old at the time of his death, which occurred on January 10. No cause of death has been given.

The GoFundMe is intended to raise money for end-of-life expenses as well as the day-to-day costs of raising a baby, such as diapers and formula.

Previous posts on McBryde’s Instagram show that she has been close to the Persun family for several years.

The singer shared a snapshot of herself with Persun i January 2022writes: “I’m going to hug this hunk of a man that I’ve loved since I first shook his hand.”

In music news, McBryde is set for a busy year of touring in 2025. She also celebrated 900 days of sobriety late last year.