Melissa Etheridge spoke about the death in May of her 21-year-old son Beckett Cypher during an emotional interview with Good morning america Tuesday morning (July 14).
“Time heals … it’s only been a couple of months,” Etheridge said. Beckett, who Etheridge had with ex-partner Julie Cypher, died of an opioid overdose.
Etheridge said she is taking things one day at a time, keeping herself busy with her music and breaking out of her period of silent mourning to thank the world for all the kind thoughts and prayers they have shared. “I would like to walk this path now of what follows,” she said, taking the opportunity to announce the launch of a foundation that honors Beckett and supports research on drug addiction.
With more than 130 people dying in the United States from opioid overdoses every day, the singer said the Etheridge Foundation will seek answers to questions it knows parents are asking too often when their family is embroiled in the insidious battle against prescription drug abuse. “There is simply no answer, there is nothing to do that makes him feel good because everything is wrong, because you know your son is suffering,” she said, recalling that Beckett loved snowboarding, which is where he broke his ankle, which led to a crippling addiction.
The singer, of course, is using music to help her get through this incredibly difficult period, she recently launched Etheridge TV, which features live sets and conversations to help break the isolation we all feel during the blockade of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch Etheridge on GMA below or visit Robin Roberts’ FB page for the full chat.
If you or someone you know has a problem with substance use disorder, dial 1-800-662-HELP or visit https://findtreatment.gov/.
