'America's Got Talent' season 3 winner Neal E. Boyd dies at age 42
Officials said the opera singer died of heart failure
Officials said the opera singer died of heart failure
Officials said the opera singer died of heart failure
Opera singer Neal E. Boyd, who won season three of "," has died, reports.
Coroner Scott Amick, of Scott County, Missouri, confirmed the 42-year-old passed way Sunday at about 6 p.m. local time at his mother's house in Sikeston, where he was found unresponsive.
Prior to his death, Boyd had been dealing with several medical issues, including heart failure, kidney failure and liver problems, Amick said. In 2017, the singer was involved in a car accident that left him severely injured.
"It was a very, very, very bad wreck," Boyd ."It's a very slow progress. I shattered a lot of bones, and shattered my hip, which has left me almost unable to use that leg for now. It's been difficult, because you can't get up on stage right now, you can't perform for the audiences and you can't really do too much recording or traveling."
Despite his health problems, Boyd had plans to release new music. On May 6, the singer announced on Facebook that he was forming a crowdfunding account to help raise funds for his new EP.
"We are finally about to start crowdtfunding for the new album (EP) this month," he wrote. I will take some time to write this year and record next year to give my voice time to heal, and train to make it even stronger."
In the post, he also shared a health update, writing, "Please know that my physical therapy is going well though the pain is still there and intense at times. More surgery may be necessary on my hip. Since the wreck, I want to thank the doctors and nurses who have been with my mother and I over this last year and a half in both Cape Girardeau and St. Louis."
"All of these experiences have taught me so much and strengthened my writing and perspective," Boyd continued. "I am looking forward to returning home soon. Thank you for your patience and prayers. I pray for you and yours, also. God Bless and lets make a great new record!"
Boyd won "" and its $1 million prize in 2008. He then released the album "My American Dream" in 2009, and the EP "My Christmas Wish" in 2013.