Reba McEntire Mourns Death of VOICE Contestant: ‘Huge Ray of Sunshine’

Published: April 29, 2026

By Kayla DeKraker

Reba McEntire is grieving the loss of one of her former THE VOICE mentees, Dylan Carter, who died in a car crash last week at the age of 24.

“We will miss Dylan so much,” the Grammy-winner wrote in a heartfelt tribute to her Instagram Stories on Monday. “He was a brilliant, kind and talented young man who brought a huge ray of sunshine to THE VOICE. Rest in peace, my dear friend.”

Carter first gained attention during his 2023 blind audition on THE VOICE, where he delivered a moving performance of “I Look to You” by Whitney Houston. The performance was a tribute to his late mother and earned a four-chair turn from all the judges. The performance moved McEntire, who he ended up choosing as his coach, to tears. She coached him throughout the season until he was eliminated in episode 12.

Carter co-founded a nonprofit called Local Voice to help women with breast cancer following his mother’s death.

“Dylan was the heart of what we do. He believed every voice matters and lived that every day,” the organization said in a statement Sunday. “Through his music, his kindness, and his smile, he brought people together and made everyone feel seen. We are heartbroken, but find comfort knowing he is in heaven with his mother.”

“We are so grateful for Dylan, for the love he gave this community, and for the impact he leaves behind,” the statement continued. “We will carry his light forward and continue this mission in his honor. Please keep his family in your prayers in the coming weeks as they navigate this tremendous loss.”

“Our family is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dylan Carter in a car accident,” said Thomas Hamilton Jr., mayor of Moncks Corner, South Carolina. “As a gifted singer, he frequently entertained our community with his performances at Town events. His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt.”

He added, “To the loved ones and acquaintances of Dylan, we offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult period. The Town of Moncks Corner, its Council, and entire staff extend their deepest sympathies. He was much more to our family than an entertainer he was our friend and we are deeply saddened.”

Carter’s last social media post shared photos of him doing what he loved: performing. The photo reel highlighted pictures of himself, the crowd and his guitar at the Palmetto Mudway in South Carolina.

“Suns out and foreheads out. I’ll take a flatbed trailer over a big stage any day,” he said in the caption.