Kellie Pickler’s “Pickler & Ben” Co-Host Ben Aaron Honors Kyle Jacobs In Heartfelt Post

Ben Aaron / Instagram

CMA and ACM Award-winning songwriter Kyle Jacobs died on Friday (February 17) at the age of 49. PEOPLE cites a statement from The Nashville Police Department, who said Jacobs was found “deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The Nashville PD told PEOPLE Jacobs’ “death is being investigated as an apparent suicide.”

Jacobs had been married to country singer Kellie Pickler since January 1, 2011. Following his death, friends of the couple took to social media to honor Jacobs and to send their condolences to Pickler.

One of the most touching tributes came from Ben Aaron, Pickler’s former co-host on Pickler & Ben. Pickler & Ben was a talk show that aired from September 2017-May 2019.

Aaron got the chance to bond with Jacobs over those two years. “I never had a lot of guy friends because I was never a typical guy,” Aaron said in a post on social media. “It was always difficult for me to meet a pal. Then came Kyle, a package deal with my former work wife Kellie.”

He recalled the first time he ever met Jacobs, and how their friendship grew from there:

“I remember meeting him for the first time at a sushi joint in Nashville. He and I both completely different species. Kyle a midwestern country music staple and me, some New York City wise ass. But from the jump, we clicked. So much so that our three way conversations often became he and I one on one. This first meeting led to our nightly ritual, dinner after the show, the three of us or often just Kyle and me sitting for hours talking about whatever and whomever.”

Aaron said Jacobs “became a safe place” to him. He further explained what he meant to him:

“I loved Kyle because it was impossible not to. He was the ground in a world where most people float aimlessly. I wish someone like Kyle into the lives of everyone, he’s that guy you want with you when your world is crazy.”

Aaron ended his tribute by writing:

“This whole situation doesn’t make sense but it usually never does. I will miss your warmth and scratchy cackle of a laugh, I’ll miss our random texts when we see some inappropriate sign or inside joke. But most of all, I’ll miss you my friend.”

You can read Aaron’s full tribute to Jacobs in the post below. He also shared several photos, which you can see by flipping through the slideshow.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Pickler and to all who knew and loved Jacobs. He’s so dearly missed.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, text “TALK ” to 741-741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.