In a heartbreaking turn of events, 17-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter Nell Smith, who gained fame through her collaboration with The Flaming Lips, has tragically passed away. Her untimely death, which occurred on October 5, was confirmed by her family through an emotional Instagram statement that has deeply resonated with her fans.

“It pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night,” the family wrote, expressing their disbelief and sorrow. They reminisced about the bright future Nell had ahead of her and acknowledged the overwhelming grief left in her absence, stating, “She has left an indelible mark on the world and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”

Nell's untimely loss was revealed to the public during a Flaming Lips concert on October 6 by frontman Wayne Coyne, who informed fans that she had been involved in a car accident. Before performing the poignant track “Everything Has Changed,” he shared the somber announcement, saying, “We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell... She was killed in a car accident last night.” Coyne emphasized the importance of cherishing loved ones and the solace music can bring during difficult times.

Nell was on the brink of a promising career, having been preparing to release her debut solo album in 2025. The album, which had already seen support through a successful Kickstarter campaign, was eagerly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike. Bella Union's Simon Raymonde, head of her label, expressed his devastation on social media, stating, “We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith.”

The beginning of Nell’s extraordinary journey with The Flaming Lips dates back to 2018, when she attended one of their concerts wearing a parrot costume. This quirky encounter caught the eye of Coyne, sparking a friendship that would later lead to creative collaboration. As she began to learn guitar, Coyne encouraged Nell’s talents, ultimately resulting in a unique project during the COVID-19 pandemic. They recorded “Where the Viaduct Looms,” an album featuring Nell’s haunting covers of Nick Cave's songs—a bold undertaking, especially considering Nell was initially unfamiliar with Cave’s music.

Nick Cave himself praised Nell's rendition of “Girl in Amber,” describing her performance as both lovely and chilling. His words reflected the profound effect her music had, showcasing her remarkable talent that belied her age. “Nell shows a remarkable understanding of the song, a sense of dispassion that is both beautiful and chilling. I just love it. I’m a fan,” Cave noted.

In a cruel twist of fate, Nell’s passing occurs amid additional sorrow for The Flaming Lips community, as the band’s instrumentalist, Steven Drozd, is currently dealing with the disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Charlotte "Bowie" Drozd. She has been missing since October 7. Both Drozd and Coyne have taken to social media to share a missing person poster in hopes of garnering public assistance.

This devastating loss is felt not only personally by Nell's family, friends, and bandmates but also by her growing fanbase, who saw her as one of the most promising voices in the indie music scene. While her time was brief, the impact she left in such a short period is undeniable. The music world mourns her loss, and as her family requested, we are reminded to hold our loved ones closer than ever.

Listen to “Into My Arms” by Nell & The Flaming Lips below and remember the vibrant spirit she brought into the world.