Naomi Judd died by suicide, daughter Ashley Judd confirms

The Grammy-winning country musician Naomi Judd died last month after shooting herself, her daughter, the actor Ashley Judd, said on Thursday.

Ashley discussed the death of her 76-year-old mother in an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Judd said of her mother, who died on 30 April following a long battle with depression. “My mother used a firearm.”

Ashley said she understood the public would know her mother died by her own hand once an autopsy was released, but wanted to be in control of the news.

Ashley’s sister Wynonna, also a renowned singer who formed the Judds with her mother, did not appear on ABC because she was not ready to talk about her mother’s death.

She added that her mother had both resources and support in her battle with depression.

“My mother knew that she was seen and she was heard in her anguish,” she said.

There are other details that the family is hoping to keep private, but Judd encouraged anyone else struggling with mental illness to reach out and talk to someone.