Introduction
The country music community and the family of iconic artist Alan Jackson are in mourning after the sudden and devastating loss of his son-in-law, Samuel Benton “Ben” Selecman, who died tragically at the young age of 28. The heartbreaking news has sent ripples through both the Nashville legal community and the wider country music world, prompting an outpouring of support and prayer from fans and friends alike.
Ben Selecman, who had been married less than a year to Jackson’s eldest daughter, Mattie, passed away in West Palm Beach, Florida, following a tragic accident. According to an official statement released on Alan Jackson’s website, Selecman suffered “severe traumatic head injuries” after falling on a boat dock while lending a helping hand to a woman attempting to board a boat. The fall proved fatal, a shocking turn of events that no one could have predicted.
The Jackson and Selecman families issued a heartfelt statement: “We ask for — and appreciate — your prayers during this difficult time.” The sentiment resonated deeply with fans of the Jackson family, many of whom remember attending Alan Jackson’s concerts or following the storybook wedding of Mattie and Ben, which took place just last October in Franklin, Tennessee. The couple lived in Nashville and had shared the early days of their marriage building a life filled with love and purpose
Mattie had previously spoken fondly of their relationship in an interview with Southern Bride. She recalled a rocky start where she initially turned him down when he asked her out. But Selecman, demonstrating determination and sincerity, persisted until Mattie began to see the standout qualities that made him special. “He pursued me until I finally saw the handsome, outgoing, Godly man I needed,” she said. Their engagement was equally romantic — a Nashville picnic filled with dancing, good wine and deep conversation on the Old Natchez Trace.
Professionally, Selecman was an assistant district attorney for Davidson County in Tennessee — a respected role he took on with energy and heart. The Office of the District Attorney General in Nashville issued their own statement in tribute to Ben on Facebook: “Thank you for your service, your kindness, compassion, and for the laughs and memories.” His colleagues noted his impact on those he worked with and the lives he touched through his public service, with District Attorney Glen Funk adding, “Our prayers are with Ben’s family. He will truly be missed.”
Survivors include his devoted wife Mattie, his parents, his brother Cole, and sister-in-law Morgan — all now navigating an unimaginable grief. In an age where news travels fast, the warmth and support received by the Jackson family remind us that even in deep sorrow, the strength of community can provide solace.
Though his life was cut tragically short, Ben Selecman leaves behind a powerful legacy defined by principle, faith, service, and love. The family’s loss is deeply personal, but it is clear that their request for prayer resonates with a public that admired not just Alan Jackson, but the kind of man Ben was — the kind who gave to others, even in his final moments.