What happened to Ryan Whyte Maloney? Tributes pour in as singer dies at 44

Ryan Whyte Maloney, an American musician and former contestant on The Voice, has died at the age of 44. His death was confirmed by the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Las Vegas, which ruled it a suicide by gunshot wound to the head.

Many reports and online speculations claim that Maloney was suffering from depression, He also briefly addressed it in a recent Instagram post on January 17th, where he wrote:

"I was at home all depressed after the voice. I was trying to pick up the pieces of putting my life together."

Ryan Whyte Maloney had previously discussed his past struggles, talking about a troubled childhood, family disputes, homelessness, and struggles with substances. According to an article by Northern Express, he was diagnosed with depression in his teens while he was homeless and sleeping in his car in Michigan.

Maloney was born in 1981 in Traverse City, Michigan. He was a multi-instrumentalist from an early age, having mastered the guitar, violin, cello, and drums. He first gained notice as the frontman of the progressive rock band Indulge, with which he recorded the album Tomorrow’s Another Day in 2005.

After a decade of touring, he moved into a solo career and released his debut album Where I’ve Been, produced by Sean O’Dwyer.

Between 2010 and 2013, Maloney’s original tracks Hillbilly, Michigan Moonlight, and Living with No Directions garnered more traction on country radio stations throughout Michigan, Nevada, Colorado and California.

Ryan Whyte Maloney's death has sparked a wave of grief from fans and people from the music community. The country music radio station in Las Vegas, 107.9 Coyote Country, mourned on Twitter.

Maloney's most recent social media post contained sentiments about Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do” from the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, under which Fans have commented their tributes and condolences.

So far, fellow The Voice contestants or coaches have not made any statements regarding his death.

Ryan Whyte Maloney’s Rise to Fame on The Voice

Maloney auditioned for season 6 of The Voice in 2014, singing a version of Lights by Journey. His performance wowed all four judges, Shakira, Usher, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine to become one of the rare four chair turns.

Ryan Whyte Maloney eventually joined Team Blake and went on to make it through the competition and become one of Shelton’s top five finalists.

On the show, Maloney performed songs like Lights by Journey, What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner, Easy by Rascal Flatts, and Second Chance by Shinedown.

After The Voice, Maloney became a songwriter, musician and producer. He wrote songs for other musicians while also continuing to put out his own music, including Don’t Put Me in a Box in 2023, followed by Love with Nowhere to Go, Sleepwalk, and Toast to Tonight.