Ben Vaughn, who served as President/CEO of Warner Chappell, cause of death reveals he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to the music executive’s death certificate, Ben died on January 30, at 9:54 a.m., at the age of 49.

The official record said Ben died by suicide via a “gunshot wound to the head.” The document stated, “shot self,” to describe how Ben died.

The place of injury was listed as “outdoors” at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee.

The place of death was listed as “ER/Outpatient.”

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Ben’s family revealed he left behind a last will and testament.

The will appointed Ben’s daughter, Ruby Vaughn, as executrix of the estate. The heirs of the estate are listed as Ruby and her two siblings, Griffin and Ezekiel. The fourth heir was listed as Ben’s estranged wife, Kimberly Vaughn.

On February 21, Ruby asked the court to approve her taking over the estate. The judge signed off on the request days later.

On the day he died, Warner Chappell Nashville’s cochairs, Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall sent out a memo to staff. They said, “It is with broken hearts that we share the unthinkable news that Ben Vaughn, President & CEO of Warner Chappell Nashville, passed away this morning.”

They added, “Our deepest condolences are with his family and many friends. Ben has led our Nashville team since 2012, and we know that many of you around the world got to know him over the years.”

Guy and Carianne added, “Ben was an extraordinary human being. He met everyone with enthusiasm, warmth, and generosity. His smile was huge, and his sense of humor was infectious.”

As In Touch first reported, Ben was in the middle of a divorce that had yet to be finalized at the time of his death. Ben filed for divorce from Kimberly on January 17.

Ben listed the date of marriage as October 19, 2024, and the date of separation as the date of his divorce filing. Ben listed the reason for the divorce as “irreconcilable differences.”

The music exec explained that “because of the short duration of the marriage, the parties have not acquired any marital property or debts of significant.” Ben submitted a divorce settlement, signed by both parties, to be approved by the judge on January 24. Per their deal, Ben agreed to pay Kimberly $280,000 after she left their marital home.

Kimberly previously told In Touch, “Ben and I loved each other very much. As Christians, neither of us wanted to divorce. He and I were both distraught about it. We continued to try everything we could to save our marriage all the way through this week. Our entire family is devastated about our loss. Ben was an incredibly loving, devoted father, husband and son. We had many joyful times together and that is what I choose to remember about him.”

The divorce had not been finalized before Ben’s death and was dismissed as a result.

Ben was previously married to Carlee Vaughn. Carlee passed away in 2022 after a 15-year cancer battle. The two wed in 1998.