Naomi Judd's Widow Reveals Disturbing Incident of Gun Violence Amid Infidelity Revelation

Editor’s note: This article discusses sensitive topics related to mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Larry Strickland, the widower of the late Naomi Judd, disclosed a troubling incident in which the celebrated singer shot a gun at him after discovering his infidelity. This revelation emerged during the Lifetime docuseries titled “The Judd Family: Truth Be Told,” where Strickland reflected on their tumultuous relationship.

Naomi Judd and Larry Strickland were married for 33 years before her untimely death in April 2022. The docuseries includes voiceovers from Naomi’s memoir, “Love Can Build a Bridge,” where she described their passionate partnership despite Strickland’s frequent absences. Naomi recounted the moment she uncovered her husband’s affair through repeated phone calls from a woman professing her love for Strickland.

In a heartbreaking memory, Judd recalled the emotional turmoil she experienced, mentioning the incident when she tore up photos of them together and disposed of Strickland’s belongings.

Memory of an Emotional Impact

During the docuseries, a poignant scene was revisited from the TV movie “Love Can Build a Bridge,” where the character representing Naomi, played by Kathleen York, shoots Bruce Greenwood’s character after uncovering infidelity. Strickland’s reaction was revealing.

He stated, “Well, it really happened. That’s all I can say. That’s all I’m going to say. It happened.” This candid acknowledgment shed light on the severity of their issues.

Background on Their Marriage

Strickland and Judd tied the knot in May 1989. Unfortunately, their love story took a tragic turn when Naomi Judd died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound just one day before she was due to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on the days leading up to her death, Strickland voiced his fear about Naomi flying alone from Vienna to Nashville, knowing her mental state was fragile at that time. His apprehension was evident during a heartfelt tribute on CMT’s “Naomi Judd: A River of Time” shortly after her passing.

Ashley Judd’s Heartfelt Reflections

Naomi’s daughter, actress Ashley Judd, discussed her mother’s mental health in an appearance on “Good Morning America.” Ashley revealed, “She used a weapon… my mother used a firearm.” Although uncomfortable sharing this detail, she emphasized the importance of confronting the truth surrounding her mother’s death.

Ashley recounted her experiences from the final day spent with her mother. In a moving narrative, she stated, “I visit with my mom and pop every day when I’m home in Tennessee… I went upstairs to let her know that her good friend was there and I discovered her. I have both grief and trauma from discovering her.” This heartfelt revelation highlighted the profound impact her mother’s struggles had on her family.

Complicated Family Dynamics

Throughout the documentary, both Ashley and her sister Wynonna Judd admitted to having a complex relationship with their mother, who wrestled with her own demons while striving for success in the music industry.

Wynonna described her conflicting feelings towards their mother, stating, “I’ve loved her more than I’ve loved myself, but Mother was both in love with me and terrified of me because I represented what she didn’t know and couldn’t control.” This sentiment underscores the challenging dynamics they faced as a family.