BREAKING: Ashley Judd broke the news this morning that her mother, Naomi Judd, died of a self-inflicted firearm wound.

Ashley sat down with ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an emotional Interview for Good Morning America.

Ashley Judd and her family wanted the world to hear from them how Naomi Judd died. “Mother used a firearm. That’s the piece of information that we are very uncomfortable sharing, but understand that we’re in a position that if we don’t say it, someone else is going to.”

Watch an excerpt of the interview below.

She and her sister Wynonna Judd announced on April 30 that they had lost their mother “to the disease of mental illness.” She was 76.

Ashley Judd said she and her family wanted to shed light on mental illness, explaining that it is “important to make the distinction between the loved one and the disease.”

Judd said the family reluctantly shared the cause of death before it became public in some other way. She also revealed that she was the one who discovered her mother, who had been outspoken about her battle with depression.

Naomi died the day before she and her daughter Wynonna, were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as The Judds. Ashley said her mother “couldn’t hang on” to be recognized by her peers.

Naomi Judd fans will be able to watch her funeral. 

The event will air on CMT, commercial free, this Sunday at 5pm Central time.

The network said in a statement, “We are sincerely privileged to work alongside Wynonna, Ashley and Larry to present this live celebration of life for their mother and wife Naomi.”

They added, “While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music.”

Continued thoughts and prayers with the family.

5-12-22