Kenny Chesney ‘Devastated’ After Woman Dies In Escalator Accident Following His Denver Concert
Kenny Chesney is mourning the loss of a woman who fell to her death at his concert at Empower Field…
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Getty Images for CMT
Kenny Chesney is mourning the loss of a woman who fell to her death at his concert at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on the Here And Now Tour on Saturday (July 30).
According to Denver Police, an adult female concertgoer was sitting on an escalator railing after the concert and fell to the concourse below at approximately 10:52 pm. Police say she died as a result of her injuries and that her death is being investigated as an accident.
Police also reported that the incident was believed to be an accident and there was no evidence of foul play at the time.
“To my understanding, there was none of that, it was just an accidental fall, I don’t think anyone pushed her or anything like that,” he said, citing witness accounts. (per The Denver Post)
Chesney shared a statement with Denver Post, expressing his sympathy in the wake of the tragic incident.
“I was devastated to learn of the loss of someone after our show. There had been so much joy, so much heart coming from the people of Denver last night — and to hear this is heartbreaking,” he shared. “Life is precious. Sharing music brings us together and that love we share makes us so much more. For the lady who came to share that love, there are no words. For her friends and family’s loss, I grieve with them and for them.”
The stadium also shared a statement on Twitter on Sunday (July 31).
“We extended our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman involved in the tragic incident that occurred at the end of Saturday’s concert at Empower Field at Mile High. There is nothing more important than the safety of our guests, and Stadium Management Company is in communication with the Denver Police Department as it investigates this unfortunate situation.”
Earlier this month, a similar incident occurred in Philadelphia at The Weeknd’s concert after 32-year-old Hugo Sanchez Marquez fell 40 feet to his death at Lincoln Financial Field.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Marquez was sitting on an escalator railing as he rode it down after the concert when he fell 40 feet and suffered “major head trauma.”
Marquez was rushed to the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Downtown Philadelphia after the incident, where he was pronounced dead just after midnight, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia Police labeled the tragic incident an accidental death with “no foul play suspected.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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