Neal Boyd, the opera singer who took America’s Got Talent by storm in 2008, winning the title and $1-million (Dh3.67 million) prize, died Sunday at his mother’s home in Sisketon, Mo., the Associated Press confirmed Monday. He was 42.
According to Scott County Coroner Scott Amick, Boyd was suffering from several medical conditions at the time of his death, including heart failure, kidney failure and liver problems.
Boyd also suffered serious injuries in a car crash in 2017.
After his reality-television triumph, Boyd pursued a life in politics, twice running for a southeast Missouri House of Representatives seat, losing in the general election in 2012 and in the primary in 2014.
He did find success in the political arena with his singing, however, performing at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
On Monday, America’s Got Talent released a statement regarding Boyd’s death on its official Twitter feed.
“We are very saddened to hear that one of our ‘AGT’ family members, Neal Boyd, has passed away,” the tweet read. “Our hearts are with Neal’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
Boyd released one album, My American Dream, in 2009.
