In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ben Selecman, the son-in-law of country music legend Alan Jackson, passed away unexpectedly following an accidental fall in September 2018. The devastating news shook not only the Jackson family but also fans across the country who had come to know Ben through his marriage to Mattie Jackson Selecman, Alan’s eldest daughter.
Ben, a respected assistant district attorney in Davidson County, Tennessee, was just 28 years old when the tragic accident occurred. Reports stated that he suffered a severe head injury after slipping and falling while helping someone onto a boat in West Palm Beach, Florida. Despite the best medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries the following day, leaving behind a young wife and a grieving family.
The tragedy struck at the heart of the Jackson family and deeply affected Mattie, who had married Ben just 11 months prior in a joyful ceremony filled with hope and promise. Their love story, though brief, was profound — and Mattie would later go on to share her journey of grief, healing, and faith in her memoir, “Lemons on Friday,” co-written with her father.
Alan Jackson, known for his emotional ballads and deeply personal songwriting, was left devastated. Though he rarely speaks publicly about private matters, the loss of his son-in-law added a deeper layer of meaning to his music during those years. Songs like “When I Saw You Leaving (For Nisey)” took on new emotional weight as fans connected the artist’s life with his lyrics.
Ben Selecman is remembered as a kind-hearted, intelligent, and faith-driven young man with a bright future in both law and public service. His passing is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be — and how even the most promising stories can be altered in a single moment.
To this day, Mattie continues to honor Ben’s memory, not only through her writing and charitable work, but now also as a new mother — carrying forward the strength that both her husband and her family instilled in her.