A lot of questions have surrounded Kelly Clarkson over the past several months due to absences from her talk show and canceled concert dates. An unfortunate explanation came on August 7, when it was revealed that her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock died of cancer after a private three-year battle.

Kelly Clarkson and her kids received an outpouring of love from her fans on social media after PEOPLE confirmed her ex Brandon Blackstock's death on Aug. 7. The talent manager was 48 and died after living with cancer for three years.