A teenage musician who collaborated with The Flaming Lips died on Saturday, October 5, 2024, her family has shared. Nell Smith, 17, collaborated with The Flaming Lips on a cover album of Nick Cave songs that was released in 2021. The album is titled Where the Viaduct Looms. Smith was preparing to release her debut solo album in 2025. Smith's family shared the news of the young musician's death on Instagram on October 7, writing "it pains us so much to say that our feisty, talented, unique, beautiful daughter was cruelly taken from us on Saturday night."
Smith's family continued by saying that they weren't sure what to say as they're currently grieving. They did not say how Smith died, though The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne made "a very sad announcement" at an October 6 concert in Oregon, multiple outlets reported.
"We got some very sad messages today that [Nell] was killed in a car accident last night and we're reminded once again of the power of music," Coyne said at the concert, per People.
Smith's family said they "are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say" in their Instagram post.
"She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years," the post continued. "She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts."
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The family requested privacy as they grieve. "Hold your kids extra tight tonight and for now please leave us to work through things," they wrote. "We will shout when we need you."
Simon Raymonde, the owner of the record label Bella Union — which was going to release Nell Smith's album — shared a statement on Instagram as well.
"We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia," Raymonde wrote. "Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter."
The record label will not be sharing more information at this time, according to the post.
"While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time," Raymonde concluded.
