Sixpence None The Richer Bassist Justin Cary Dead At 50 Following Stroke

The bass player behind one of the biggest Christian-pop crossover acts of the late ’90s has died.

Justin Cary, who spent nearly three decades as the bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, passed away on Thursday, 18 June, a week to the day after a stroke left him hospitalised.

Cary’s family shared news of his death through a GoFundMe campaign originally launched to help cover medical costs. An update to the page confirmed his wife, Linda, was at his bedside when he died, and asked supporters to keep the family in their thoughts during what organisers called an incredibly difficult stretch.

The stroke happened the previous Thursday, after which Cary was rushed to Albany Medical Centre in upstate New York. Doctors performed two operations before moving him into intensive care.

Friends who set up the fundraiser described an outpouring of uncertainty in those early days, asking anyone willing to send prayers or positive energy as the family braced for what came next.

The goal, organisers said, was simple: cover expenses so Linda could stay at the hospital with her husband without worrying about logistics.

Just one day before he died, an update on the page reported Cary was still on a respirator in the ICU but said he was getting excellent care. Linda hadn’t left his side, reading aloud to him in case he could still hear her and telling him repeatedly how loved he was.

Cary joined the band in 1997, right as Sixpence None the Richer was about to break through commercially with the hit single “Kiss Me.”