Everything We Know About Beverly McClellan's Death

"There is a certain magic. Whenever we sang together, it was especially magical, of course. It's amazing because you get two artists together and we're able to share something that we love to do more than anything else in the whole wide world together," The Voice's Christina Aguilera told reporters of her duet with contestant Beverly McClellan in 2011 (per Us Weekly). "For 'Beautiful' to be the song that connected us both, in the end, was amazing."

Sadly, a mere seven years later, McClellan, the third-runner up in the first season of The Voice (who became a fan favorite after belting out a powerful rendition of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart"), succumbed to her battle against cancer. She was 49 years old.

Survived by her wife and child, Beverly McClellan touched fans around the world with her voice and passion for music. But cancer attacks indiscriminately. Here's everything we know about Beverly McClellan's tragic death.

Per People and her GoFundMe page, doctors diagnosed Beverly McClellan with endometrial cancer on March 30, 2018, that quickly "spread to her colon, bladder, and intestines."

The GoFundMe, which raised $32,050 for McClellan's medical costs before her death, stated the lack of adequate health insurance caused a delay in her treatments. "Oncologist gave good prognosis today, stating that this cancer responds well to Chemo. However, they did not start it yet due to no insurance and stated this is outpatient Chemotherapy and that this treatment is very expensive, treatments will be every three weeks, never mind any complications," an update read. "We are continuing to appeal SSI and Medicaid. Fingers crossed! NBC already got wind of what is happening and hopefully some 'big ballers' step up to the plate."

Fortunately, McClellan was able to start chemotherapy, but it left her unable to walk without the use of a walker. "Beverly was released from the hospital on Friday, she is doing so much better and honestly getting better every day," another update read. "We have been able to find a transitional housing, until we are able to move in to our new house. Although we were comfortable where we lived Beverly is no longer able to walk up to the third floor because now she's walking with a walker."

According to Beverly McClellan's GoFundMe, she was responding to treatment when "very quickly Beverly took a turn for the worse" on Sunday, October 28, 2018, when she "began to act strangely" and the family requested an MRI. Unfortunately, McClellan was unable to make the scheduled appointment due to her quick decline. She then suffered "3 grand mal seizures" and was immediately transported to the nearest hospital.

With her prognosis "very poor" the GoFundMe account was closed pending final transactions as medical care was no longer needed. "The monies that have been donated via Benefit and GoFundMe this past week will be used for her care now and her wishes to be with her maternal grandmother after she passes and becomes an angel watching over us, singing for us in the heavens," the final update read. "We are overwhelmed with this prognosis and again wish that our privacy at this time be respected."

"We will inform you of a celebration of life when our families are ready, via her Facebook page," the updated continued, letting fans know of upcoming funeral arrangements. "So Many thanks to those of you who supported us in your own way, you know who you are. I will not be responding to messages or posts via Facebook or otherwise. I will be dedicating this short, valuable time to my wife and our kid who need me. Again, her Dignity is of much value to herself, myself and her family."

In an interview with Radar Online, Beverly McClellan's mother, Deborah McClellan Shelton, said that the singer fought this terrible disease to the very end. "She was a fighter, and she loved sharing her talent with the world," she revealed. "I'm as well as can be expected," Shelton continued while holding back tears. "I can only say I love her. I'm very proud of her. I'm proud of her accomplishments, and I'm proud of her family."

Although Shelton is dealing with her devastating grief over the loss of her beloved daughter, her thoughts are now with McClellan's wife, Monique Garcia McClellan, and their grandchild. "It's a difficult time," McClellan admitted. "It's her wife and her child that I'm most concerned about now. She was a very private person, but she loved performing."

Upset that media outlets reported her wife's passing before she could, Monique Garcia McClellan took to Facebook to share her thoughts on Beverly McClellan's death. 

"I wanted to share some news that was mine to share but unfortunately due to some disrespect I was not the first to share it. Beverly McClellan went home at 4:36 pm. She was surrounded by so much love, and we shared some beautiful last days," she said. "Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of us. We appreciate all of the love you have given and the good vibes you have sent. Peace love and light to you and your loved ones."

Hopefully, McClellan's friends and fans can take bittersweet comfort in the fact that loved ones surrounded the powerful singer during her final days. We're going to hug someone we love right now, and we hope you will do the same.

After news broke out that Beverly McClellan lost her battle against cancer, fellow musicians and other celebrities took to social media accounts to express their condolences and share their grief.

"The only thing greater than Beverly McClellan's voice was her heart. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and fans during this difficult time," The Voice shared on the show's official Instagram.

"I am absolutely heartbroken. My dear friend & fellow S1 @NBCTheVoice alum, @beverlyshane has died. Truly a unique soul with a beautiful heart, full of passion & an amazing talent. This was us singing @xtina's Beautiful on tour," McClellan's fellow The Voice contestant Nakia Reynoso tweeted, accompanied with a video of the two singing together.

"Just heard the news that we lost this beautiful soul, Beverly McClellan. Cancer took her a the much too young age of 49. She was a brilliant performer on that first season of @nbcthevoice, but more importantly, she was an incredible human. I loved our long chats, both on and off camera, and I'm lucky to have called her a friend during that whirlwind time of my life. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones," actress and The Voice correspondent Alison Haislip posted on Instagram.