What Happened to Joe Nester? The Gospel Musician’s Tragedy Explained
Joe Nester was a musician who opened up about his battle with substance addiction and inspired others through his music.
Published July 2 2025, 10:27 a.m. ET
Musician and recovery advocate Joe Nester inspired many music lovers with his inspirational and authentic songs. He openly shared his journey to recovery after facing years of addiction with songs like "Fighting With My Demons," "Never Gonna Take My Soul," and "Story Of An Addict."
Joe experimented with various musical genres, including hip-hop, rock, country, and acoustic music to create songs that not only offered him an outlet to express himself, but also others in the process. Sadly, his fans are clinging onto his lyrics as they mourn his loss. Here's what to know.
What happened to Joe Nester?
In June 2025, Joe's wife, Faith Nester, released a statement on his social media accounts confirming he passed away at the age of 41 on June 28. The post included a photo of the singer walking towards heaven while holding his guitar on his back and wearing one of his signature black outfits. The family explained Joe died after "a month and a half of fighting for his life" and after suffering a "sudden bleed" near his trachea.
"After a month and a half of fighting for his life, and a sudden bleed near his trach.. our beloved Joe Nester passed away last night," the post began. "We are completely heartbroken. Our world has been forever shattered."
"There are no words to fully express the pain we are feeling," Joe's wife continued. "I will never understand why this had to happen—why someone with so much purpose left to live had to be taken from this earth so soon! He was my best friend, my safe place, the love of my life. I know he meant so much to so many of you, too.
Before he died, Joe's family had been updating fans on his health issues. On June 10, Faith posted on Facebook to ask for Joe's supporters to send up prayers as he prepared for a "serious procedure" where he had a tracheotomy and PEG placement. His wife specifically asked fans to pray that the procedure wouldn't interfere with his ability to perform his music.
"We are holding onto faith with everything we have," Faith said. "The road ahead is still long, but we know God is in it with us. Please continue to speak life, healing, and breakthrough over Joe. We ask, from the bottom of our hearts, that no negativity or false labels be spoken over him. God is still good. He’s still moving. And we are still believing for a miracle."
Joe Nester leaves behind his wife, Faith Nester, their children, and grandchildren.
In the statement confirming his death, Joe's wife spoke more on his legacy as not only a talented musician, but also as a husband, father, and grandfather. The post shared how his entire family mourned his significant loss.
We lost: My husband, the father of our children. The grandfather of our grandchildren," Faith wrote. "The heart and leader of our family."
"His absence has left a hole that can never be filled," she continued. "But even through the tears, we’re holding on to the promise that we’ll see him again."
Faith also shared that the family planned for Joe's memorial service to be held in Florida. She then thanked his fans for "loving him" and his craft. Prior to his death, the musician was on his Redemption Tour with Rare of Breed in March 2025.