Flaming Lips Collaborator Nell Smith Dies at 17 Cause of Death Revealed

Wayne Coyne, the frontman of the Flaming Lips, honored Smith during the band’s concert in Portland on Sunday night, sharing the tragic news of her death in a car accident.

“[The band has] a very sad announcement to make tonight,” Coyne explained in the fan footage. “We have a Canadian friend, her name is Nell. … We got some very sad messages today that she was killed in a car accident last night and we’re reminded once again of the power of music.”

Meanwhile, Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins confirmed the news on Instagram on Monday. In his statement, Raymonde announced that Smith will release her debut solo album under his Bella Union label next year.

“We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia,” Raymonde wrote in the post.

“Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025 on Bella Union, made in Brighton with Penelope Isles’ Jack and Lily Wolter,” he added. “Her first release was an album of covers of Nick Cave songs recorded with fellow Bella Union artistes The Flaming Lips back in 2021 entitled, Where the Viaduct Looms.”

Nell Smith Met the Flaming Lips Back in 2018

Nell’s family also confirmed her passing on October 7, expressing their sorrow that she was “cruelly taken from us” on Saturday, October 5.

“We are reeling from the news and don’t know what to do or say,” her family wrote. “She had so much more to experience and to give this world but we are grateful that she got to experience so very much in her 17 years. She has left an indelible mark on the word and an unfillable chasm in our hearts.”

An avid Flaming Lips fan, Smith had the opportunity to meet frontman Wayne Coyne following the band’s headlining performance in Calgary in 2018. She stayed in touch with the band as she learned to play guitar and developed her own songwriting skills. Eventually, Smith teamed with Flaming Lips to create the nine-track Nick Cave covers album, Where the Viaduct Looms. The album features the lead single “Girl in Amber” alongside “The Ship Song.”

Meanwhile, the comments under the YouTube video for “Girl in Amber” are filled with mourning fans.

“I can’t believe it. RIP Nell. So young,” one fan wrote. “This song and video hits differently right now. Too many feelings. Rest easy dear Nell. You will live forever,” a second fan added.