American Idol Contestant Douglas Kiker Has Passed Away at 32

Dubbed "The Singing Garbage Man," Kiker moved Katy Perry to tears during his audition on the ABC reality competition show.

Former American Idol contestant Douglas Kiker’s death was confirmed by his sisters on social media earlier this week.

According to Variety, Douglas Kiker, a singer best known for his appearance on Season 18 of American Idol, has died. At only 32 years old, Kiker’s 2020 audition was a memorable moment of the season, which saw “The Singing Garbage Man" take on “Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. All three judges were impressed, with Katy Perry being moved to tears by his performance. While he was eliminated early on in the competition, he made a return for the Season 18 finale, where he performed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Kiker’s sisters, Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez shared the news on Facebook Wednesday evening. In their posts, Evans wrote “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker. He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many! Your singing with the Angel’s now Bubba Please pray for our family as we go threw this very difficult time." Carrillos-Ramirez echoed Evans, sharing “Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today. He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh. I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him. My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma."

Just a year after his appearance on American Idol, Kiker was arrested and charged with domestic violence.