The ‘Miss Independent’ artist filed for divorce in 2020 after she and Brandon quarantined together at their Montana ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blackstock has passed away following a secret three-year battle with cancer, a family spokesperson revealed in a statement.

Brandon Blackstock learned of his cancer diagnosis following his divorce from Kelly Clarkson. A source tells PEOPLE that Blackstock, who died on Aug. 7 at age 48, that "he was diagnosed after the divorce." Blackstock and Clarkson, 43, were married in 2013 and welcomed their daughter, River, now 11, and son, Remington, now 9.