(NEXSTAR) — A cause of death has been revealed for Brandon Blackstock, the talent manager ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, who died last week, according to a report.
A representative confirmed Blackstock, 48, died Thursday, adding that he had “bravely battled cancer for more than three years.” A day earlier, singer-songwriter Clarkson revealed Blackstock was ill as she postponed the remainder of her Las Vegas residency, Nexstar’s NewsNation reported.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis said Blackstock’s cause of death was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. His manner of death was from natural causes. NewsNation did not immediately receive a response from the coroner’s office.
While the exact cause of every melanoma is unknown, the Mayo Clinic says most are brought on by exposure to ultraviolet light. Areas that are often exposed to the sun, like the skin on your arms and legs, typically serve as starting points for melanoma.
Though anyone can develop melanoma, those with certain factors may be more likely to be diagnosed with the skin cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That includes a personal or family history of melanoma; excessive sun exposure; having fair skin, many moles, freckles, blue eyes, blond or red hair, and a weakened immune system; and frequently using tanning beds.
Treating melanoma will vary based on the severity of the case and whether it has spread. Options include surgery and therapies like radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, the Mayo Clinic explains. Early treatment can cure most skin cancers, the Cleveland Clinic notes, but advanced cases can be fatal.
Roughly 105,000 new melanomas are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society, while about 8,400 are expected to die of the skin cancer.
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 06: Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock attend the 2018 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock attend STX Films World Premiere of “UglyDolls” at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on April 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) 
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 12: Brandon Blackstock (L) and Kelly Clarkson attend the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) 
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 12: (L-R) Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) 
River Rose Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson, Remington Alexander Blackstock, Brandon Blackstock seen at STXfilm presents the World Premiere of ‘Ugly Dolls’ at Regal Cinema LA Live, Los Angeles, CA, USA – 27 April 2019 (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for STX Entertainment)
Brandon Blackstock ‘passed away peacefully’
Blackstock’s representative said last week that he “passed away peacefully” surrounded by family.
Blackstock, whose father was married to Reba McEntire for more than 25 years, shares two children with Clarkson. He has two children from a previous marriage and became a grandfather three years ago, according to PEOPLE.
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and divorced in 2020. Blackstock’s father, Narvel, had been Clarkson’s manager, PEOPLE reports. Clarkson and the younger Blackstock met in 2006 when the latter was still married to his ex-wife, Melissa Ashworth.
Clarkson and Blackstock had a contentious divorce, facing disputes over their property and spousal support, as well as custody of their children. As Entertainment Weekly reports, Clarkson was granted primary custody of their children.