The VoiceAlum Ryan Whyte Maloney's Cause of Death Confirmed

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Whyte Maloney in Las Vegas in October 2017.Photo:Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Singer Ryan Whyte Maloney attends the debut of “Linda Suzanne Sings Divas of Pop” at the South Point Hotel & Casino on October 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

A cause of death forThe VoicealumRyan Whyte Maloneyhas been confirmed.

The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Las Vegas confirmed to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Jan. 28 that the manner of death for Maloney was suicide, with the cause of death listed as a gunshot wound to the head. The musician was 44.

Maloney was born in 1981 hailing from Traverse City, Mich. and grew up playing the cello, guitar, violin, and drums. He spent 10 years as the frontman for the progressive rock band Indulge before starting a solo career.

Ryan Whyte Maloney on ‘The Voice’ in 2014.Tyler Golden/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

THE VOICE – “Live Finale” Episode 621B – Pictured: Ryan Whyte Maloney

Tyler Golden/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

He appeared on season six ofThe Voicein 2014, wowing the four coaches with his rendition of Journey’s ballad “Lights,” resulting in all four chairs turning. Maloney chose to join coachBlake Shelton’s team.

Maloney wound up in Shelton’s top five finalists. Though he would be eliminated later that season, he returned for the season finale. After the show ended, Maloney was a frequent performer at Shelton’s Ole Red bar in Las Vegas, where he currently had an ongoing weekend residency.

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In 2015, he released his first solo albumWhere I’ve Been. Some of his more recent releases were “Don’t Put Me in a Box," “Love with Nowhere to Go,” “Sleepwalk” and “Toast to Tonight.”

He also worked as a songwriter for artists and a studio musician/engineer/producer.

Throughout his career, he performed withTim McGraw,Morgan Wallen,Rascal Flatts,Shakira,UsherandEd Sheeranamong other artists.

Ryan Whyte Maloney in Las Vegas in March 2012.Frazer Harrison/ACMA2012/Getty

Musician Ryan Whyte Maloney performs onstage at the ACM Experience at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on March 31, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Frazer Harrison/ACMA2012/Getty

On Monday, Jan. 27, Maloney shared a video of himself at a bar on his Instagram Stories. “Nine fine Irishmen for a private party tonight, and we will be rocking,” he told the camera in a selfie video.

source: people.com