American Idol is one of the most popular shows in the United States with millions of viewers. In that show, a guy from Alabama became famous for moving one of the judges, Katy Perry, with his voice. That man, Doug Kiker, passed away at the age of 32 on March 12, as confirmed by his sisters Angela and Donna.
The reasons for Kiker's death have not been disclosed, but a witness told TMZ that the singer was attended to by emergency services after a passerby's call found him on the street looking very unwell.
The magazine TMX reports that Doug Kiker had been hospitalized five days before his death and speculates that he may have suffered a drug overdose.
"With great sorrow, we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker. He was so loved and will be greatly missed! You are now singing with the angels. Please pray for our family as we go through this very difficult time," his sister Donna posted on Facebook.
"Today I received the call that no one wants to receive. We lost an amazing person. He had a huge 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," she later wrote.
Kiker became famous in the U.S. during season 18 of the singing competition American Idol. During his audition, the man, who worked for a waste collection company, managed to move Katy Perry, one of the show's stars. "That wasn't garbage, it was genius," she told the contestant.