Terry Jennings, the eldest son of country music legend Waylon Jennings, passed away on January 25, 2019, at the age of 62. He was a music manager, a talent scout, and an author of a memoir about his father. But what was the cause of his death? Was it natural, accidental, or something else?
The Official Statement
According to his son Josh, who announced the news on Facebook, Terry Jennings died early in the morning. He did not specify the cause or the place of his death. He only said that his father lived an adventurous life and accomplished so much. He also asked for peace and privacy for the family as they were dealing with the great loss.
The Speculations
Some media outlets speculated that Terry Jennings may have died of natural causes, such as a heart attack or a stroke. They cited his age and his history of drug abuse as possible factors. Terry Jennings admitted in his book that he started using drugs when he was 15 and continued until he was 21. He said that he quit after his father threatened to disown him.
Other sources suggested that Terry Jennings may have died of an accident, such as a fall or a drowning. They pointed out that he was an avid fisherman and loved the outdoors. They also mentioned that he had a near-death experience in 1977, when he survived a plane crash with his father and other musicians. The plane ran out of fuel and landed in a swamp in Louisiana.
However, none of these speculations were confirmed by the family or the authorities. The coroner’s report was not made public, and no funeral arrangements were announced.
The Confusion
To add to the confusion, there were other people named Terry Jennings who died around the same time. One of them was a missing fisherman from Western Australia, who disappeared in July 2018 and whose body was never found. The coroner ruled that he may have died of natural causes or an accident, but could not determine the exact cause.
Another one was a composer and pianist from California, who died of murder in December 1981. He was a pioneer of minimalist music and a collaborator of La Monte Young. He became severely addicted to heroin and was stabbed to death in San Pablo.
These cases were unrelated to the Terry Jennings who was Waylon Jennings’ son, but they may have caused some confusion among the public.
The Conclusion
Terry Jennings cause of death remains a mystery to this day. His family has not revealed any details about it, and his fans are left wondering what happened to him. He was a beloved son, brother, father, and friend, who had a close relationship with his father and shared his life stories with the world. He will be remembered for his contributions to the music industry and his legacy as an outlaw’s son.
