30 Second Answer
Yes, Naomi Judd committed suicide on April 30th, 2020.
A postmortem examination confirmed that country music superstar Naomi Judd had passed away by suicide. The Grammy-winning artist, who was half of mother-daughter duo the Judds, passed away on April 30 at the age of 76.
Judd’s two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, posted about her passing on social media on the day of her death. In their posts, they shared fond memories of their mother and expressed their grief at her loss.
Naomi Judd’s passing comes as a shock to many fans who loved her music and her warm personality. Judd was a trailblazer in the country music industry and will be remembered for her many accomplishments. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
Deeper Look
Beloved country music singer Naomi Judd passed away on April 30, 2022, at age 76. After an autopsy, a county medical examiner in Tennessee confirmed the sad news: her death was a suicide. (1)
Naomi Judd became famous as a country singer and toured the world singing as a duo, “The Judds,” with her talented daughter Wynonna. Naomi was also the mother of talented actress Ashley Judd. The duo won a Grammy award. (1)
Naomi was known for her beauty: her red hair and charming smile were part of her trademark appearance and her palpable closeness to daughter Wynonna (also a striking redhead) onstage. Together, their matchless harmonies became country music fan favorites. During the later years of their touring, their songs crossed the charts and gathered fans of mainstream music.
Naomi and Wynonna formed The Judds in 1983. Together, they made twenty “Top 10” hits, including 15 hits that made it to Number One on the country music hit list. They won five Grammy awards. Naomi also won a Grammy for Song of the Year with what would become the duo’s signature song, “Love Can Build A Bridge.” (1)
Her family reports that during the months leading up to her death, Naomi had been battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. She also had a history of PTSD and bipolar disorder. In 1991, Naomi revealed she had hepatitis C. Because of her bipolar disorder, Naomi took a medication called Lithium. This medication caused her face to swell, her hair to fall out, and it also caused tremors. These symptoms added to her depression. (2)
After announcing her hepatitis C diagnosis in 1991, Judd ended her music career, began a foundation to provide education and research about Hepatitis C, and became a national spokeswoman for the American Liver Foundation. A Naomi made some return appearances on stage with Wynonna, as well as hosting her show ” Naomi’s New Morning” A for two years from 2005-2007, and enjoying a stint as a judge on the revamped version of Star Search. (1)
Observers at the scene of her death reported they had found a note Naomi wrote with words that spoke of her choice to end her life. A Daughter Ashley appeared in a TV interview with Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America” on May 12. Ashley spoke of Naomi’s death and her family’s grief. Ashley then reported that Naomi had used “a firearm” (1) to cause her death. Ashley also revealed she was the one who discovered Naomi’s body on the day of her death. (1)
Ashley said she wanted to use the occasion of this announcement to “raise awareness of mental health,” (2). She reported her family preferred they be the ones to release the details of the death; rather than having them reported first by another source. (2)
A memorial for Naomi Judd was held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The celebration of Judd’s life was hosted by Robin Roberts, aired on CMT, and called “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration”. It featured numerous country music celebrities. Naomi Judd had planned the memorial before her death, and her family members were intent on seeing it carried out as a tribute to this beautiful lady of song.
(1) Haneline, Amy: “Naomi Judd Autopsy Confirms Singer Died By Suicide: Family Asks For “Respectful Privacy” updated on USA Today on 8/27/2022
(2) “Naomi Judd,” posted on Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naomi_Judd)