Updated on: 18 May 2026
Ben Vaughn, the longtime president and CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, died on January 30, 2025, at the age of 49.
Authorities later ruled Vaughn’s death a suicide following a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Vaughn was widely respected within the country music industry and played a major role in Warner Chappell Nashville’s growth during his time leading the company.
ACM Awards Tribute Renewed Attention on Vaughn’s Death
Public attention surrounding Vaughn’s death increased again after the 2026 ACM Awards featured a tribute to his memory.
During the ceremony’s ACM Lifting Lives segment, Dan + Shay performed their song “Say So,” which presenter Lauren Alaina described as being inspired by Vaughn’s death.
The tribute formed part of a broader focus on mental health awareness during the broadcast and introduced Vaughn’s story to a wider audience beyond Nashville’s music industry.
Details Released Following Vaughn’s Death
According to official records, Vaughn died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside his Brentwood home.
Authorities said he was found at approximately 9:54 a.m. on January 30, 2025.
News of his death prompted tributes across Nashville’s music industry, where he had spent years working with leading country artists, songwriters and publishing executives.
Estate Filings Following Vaughn’s Death
Court filings following Vaughn’s death showed his daughter, Ruby Vaughn, petitioned to administer his estate.
The filings listed Ruby Vaughn as executrix, alongside her brothers Griffin and Ezekiel Vaughn as heirs. Vaughn’s estranged wife, Kimberly Vaughn, was also named as a beneficiary.
A court approved Ruby Vaughn’s request on February 21, 2025, giving her authority to manage the estate proceedings.
Music Industry Tributes Following Vaughn’s Death
Following Vaughn’s death, tributes were shared across the country music industry from artists, executives and publishing colleagues who had worked closely with him over the years.
Warner Chappell co-chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall described Vaughn as an “extraordinary human being” and praised both his leadership and personality.
In a statement, they said Vaughn had been “more than just a leader” and remembered him as someone whose generosity and warmth had a lasting impact on the people around him.
Warner Music Exec Ben Vaughn
Divorce Proceedings Before Vaughn’s Death
Court records also showed Vaughn had recently filed for divorce from his wife, Kimberly Vaughn, shortly before his death.
The filing, submitted on January 17, 2025, cited irreconcilable differences after the couple had been married for only a few months.
Kimberly Vaughn later released a statement describing the loss as devastating for the family and said the couple had tried to work through their difficulties before the separation.
Divorce documents reportedly included a financial settlement agreement under which Vaughn agreed to pay Kimberly Vaughn $280,000 after she moved out of the marital home.
No official connection has been established between the divorce proceedings and Vaughn’s death.
Ben Vaughn’s Legacy in Nashville Music
Ben Vaughn remained a respected figure within Nashville’s music industry throughout his career at Warner Chappell Nashville, where he worked closely with major artists, songwriters and publishing executives.
Following his death, tributes focused both on his leadership within the business and the relationships he built across the country music community.
Renewed public attention surrounding Vaughn’s death also followed the 2026 ACM Awards tribute from Dan + Shay, which connected his memory to wider conversations about mental health awareness within the entertainment industry.
Colleagues and artists have continued to remember Vaughn for the role he played in supporting songwriters and helping shape Warner Chappell Nashville during a major period of growth for the company.