Granger Smith’s wife, Amber, has opened up about a deeply personal and tragic chapter in their lives, revealing how her husband nearly took his own life following the loss of their 3-year-old son, River, who drowned in his Texas home pool in 2019. The harrowing event marked the beginning of a dark period for the former country star and his wife, leading to a profound emotional and psychological crisis. In her upcoming memoir, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor, Amber recounts the night Granger, in a moment of unimaginable despair, reached for a gun that he had kept in his drawer, aiming to end his suffering.
Amber detailed how Granger, after returning to his tour bus following a night of drinking, was overwhelmed by memories of River’s final moments. The haunting images of his son facedown in the pool and the weight of his failure as a parent led to a moment of utter despair. According to Amber, Granger placed a cold Glock 9mm in his mouth, only to be stopped by the intervention of his faith. In that critical moment, he cried out to God, and the visions ceased, the gun slipped from his hand, and he collapsed in tears on the bathroom floor of his bus.
Granger had previously shared in his 2023 memoir, Like a River, that he had nearly taken his own life after the tragic loss of his son. The memoir, which was inspired by the very event that led to his near-suicide attempt, laid bare the profound grief and guilt he carried. Amber’s forthcoming book provides a more personal, intimate perspective on these events, describing how Granger struggled with guilt, depression, and the overwhelming sense of failure as a father.
Amber’s account highlights the emotional toll of the incident, describing how Granger’s grief became a consuming force that led him to the edge of despair. She described the moment when his mind was flooded with images of River’s final moments, and how he was plagued by the belief that he had failed his son. The combination of these thoughts and his own sense of worthlessness led him to reach for the gun, which he had kept for safety during his travels.
However, in a moment of profound spiritual awakening, Granger turned to his faith and called out to God. Amber wrote that the vision of his son stopped, the gun slipped from his grasp, and he collapsed in tears on the bathroom floor. This moment, she explained, was a turning point in his life, leading him to seek a deeper connection with his faith and ultimately, to leave the music industry behind and become a minister.
Since the tragedy, Granger and Amber have become vocal advocates for children’s water safety, using their public platform to raise awareness about the dangers of drowning and the importance of preventive measures. They have also shared their story in hopes of offering support to other families who have experienced similar losses, emphasizing the importance of mental health and emotional support during times of grief.
In April 2024, Granger announced on social media that he was retiring from the music industry and would be focusing on his ministry full-time. This decision came in the wake of his near-suicide attempt, as he felt called to a new purpose. Amber has also been open about the ongoing grief and emotional struggle she faces, describing how the experience has changed her and her husband’s lives in profound ways.