‘American Idol’ Runner-Up Willie Spence Dead At 23
American Idol runner-up Willie Spence has died from injuries sustained in a car accident in Tennessee. He was 23.
According to local news outlet Douglas Now, Spence passed away on Tuesday (Oct. 11).
Spence was a contestant on Season 19 of the singing competition show and performed a duet with another American Idol alum, Katharine McPhee, who seemingly confirmed the news of his passing on her Instagram story.
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“I received very tragic news tonight,” she wrote above a video of her and Spence meeting. “Sweet @williespenceofficial passed away in a car accident. Only 23 years old. Life is so unfair and nothing is ever promised.
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“God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you.”
According to Spence’s Instagram, he uploaded a video singing “You Are My Hiding Place” by Selah just hours before the crash.
He was scheduled to perform in London for an “evening of praise and worship” Saturday (Nov. 12), an Eventbrite page notes.
