Young singer killed by snakebite, four more dead before 40: Is ‘The Voice’ cursed?

Alabama Life & CultureSeveral former competitors on 'The Voice' have died this year. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)APBy Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comCould the popular reality show “The Voice” be cursed?At this point, it would be hard to blame because at least five former “The Voice” competitors have died in 2026, and the oldest of that group was just 36.The latest to go was country music singer Dylan Carter, who was killed on April 25.Law enforcement officials in South Carolina told TMZ that Carter was killed after a car crash in Colleton County, South Carolina. The outlet reported that officials said that Carter was driving on U.S. Route 21 around 11 p.m. when his 2026 Tesla sedan veered off the road, hit a pole, and rolled. The Colleton County coroner told TMZ that Carter died of blunt-force injuries. Three more former “The Voice” contestants died in February.The youngest of those who tragically died was Nicole Valeria Vargas Gomez, who was killed in Columbia on Feb. 22. She was just 19.Gomez, who competed on Colombia’s version of “The Voice Kids” in 2019, was killed along with William Andrew Paipa, 40, when they were hit by a vehicle as they crossed a road. Beloved Bolivian singer Leo Rosas was another competitor who died. He was just 27.The singer passed away on Feb. 15, according to reports, and a cause of death was not given at his family’s request. Rojas was best known for competing on Mexico’s version of “The Voice.” His death came a week after Dean Franklin, who competed on the U.K.’s version of the show, died on Feb. 8. He died just eight weeks after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.“As a family we are truly heartbroken to announce that our precious boy who fought so courageously over eight weeks and three days passed last night,” his mother wrote on Facebook “He was surrounded by love. I have been getting (messages) from people this morning and wanted as his ma to manifest my son’s courage to share with you all. As a family we will post in more length when we are able. Until then please know that the love you gave to our Dean and all of us has meant so very much.”Franklin, who was 36, first announced his diagnosis back in December.Ifunaya Nwagene, 26, a beloved singer who starred on Season 3 of Nigeria’s version of “The Voice,” died on Jan. 31 after she was bitten by a cobra while she slept. Sam Ezugwu, a friend of Nwangene who also founded the choir that she sang in, said that the hospital had one of the antivenoms required to treat the bite, but did not have a second that it needed.“While they were trying to stabilize her, she could not speak but she could make hand gestures,” he told the outlet. “She was struggling to breathe.”The hospital denied that the anti-venom was unavailable.“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom,” a statement from the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, said per BBC Africa.Curse? It might feel like it, but it is not likely. What is certain is that is has been a heartbreaking year for former contestants of the show.Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...