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How did Luke Bryan's sister Kelly die? 'American Idol' judge still misses sibling who met 'abnormally tragic' end

Luke Bryan might always seem cheerful but he's endured a number of tragedies in his life including the death of his sister Kelly who passed away unexpectedly in 2007

Luke Bryan is one of the biggest superstars in country music today. What separates him from the rest is his ability to traverse across genres. For his live shows he has played everything from Macklemore to Taio Cruz as well as the Steve Miller Band and his universal taste is evident through the songs that make it to his albums.

Bryan is also one of the judges on 'American Idol' and one cannot help but notice how he's the most upbeat person on the panel that also features Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. However, not many know that he has experienced devastating tragedies and colossal personal losses including the death of his sister Kelly Bryan. 

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Explaining why Bryan never lets his emotions get the better of him and he always sports a smile, his wife Caroline Boyer told CMT, "Our family thing is, you can take two paths in life: one of being bitter and angry, or one of I’m gonna find the happiness in this and make the best of something that’s horrible."

How did Luke Bryan's sister Kelly Bryan die?

In the same interview, Boyer opened up about the biggest tragedies that have affected Bryan, her and their entire family over the years. "Luke’s brother died in 1996. Then 13 years ago, his sister passed away unexpectedly," she said. " She was healthy, beautiful, and the best mom to ever walk this earth," she added, describing her deceased relative.

What was the cause of Kelly Bryan's death?

Kelly's family never found out what led to her death. "She was home with her 3-year-old, and it was like someone turned the lights out.They never determined what happened. The autopsies, the coroner, no one could figure it out," Luke told PEOPLE in 2013. The siblings had united one month before her "abnormally tragic" death when she had come to support him during his Grand Ole Opry performance. The photograph they took that night was the last one they ever clicked together.