Tragedy Strikes Alan Jackson’s Family – Son-in-Law Ben Selecman Dies at 28 in Florida Accident
Country music legend Alan Jackson and his family are facing unimaginable heartbreak following the sudden death of his son-in-law, Ben Selecman. The 28-year-old Assistant District Attorney for Davidson County, Tennessee, died on Wednesday after a tragic accident in Jupiter, Florida.According to the Associated Press, Selecman was helping a woman onto a boat dock when he slipped, struck his head, and suffered severe traumatic brain injuries. Despite medical intervention, he passed away shortly after the incident.
Selecman was married to Jackson’s eldest daughter, Mattie, with the couple celebrating their wedding less than a year ago. They tied the knot in October 2017 in Franklin, Tennessee, in what friends and family described as a stunning, joy-filled ceremony.Their love story, as told by Mattie to Southern Bride, began years earlier. “Ben will tell you we first met at a mutual friend’s wedding, but I just remember dancing with a cute guy and never thinking about him after,” she recalled. The pair reconnected two years later while Selecman was clerking for a judge in Nashville during law school. “He asked me out and I said no,” Mattie admitted, “but he didn’t give up.”
Persistence paid off. Over time, she came to see in him “the handsome, outgoing, Godly guy I needed.” When the time came to propose, Selecman chose a setting as romantic as their story — a picnic along the historic Natchez Trace, complete with wine, cheese, dancing, and a heartfelt proposal that sealed their future together.
Selecman was widely respected among his peers in the legal community. The Office of the District Attorney General for Nashville-Davidson County paid tribute to him in a public statement, calling him “kind, compassionate, and dedicated.” A post on the office’s official Facebook page read:“Assistant District Attorney Samuel Benton ‘Ben’ Selecman, 1990–2018. Thank you for your service, your kindness, compassion, and for the laughs and memories.”District Attorney Glenn Funk added, “Our office is saddened to announce the passing of Assistant DA Ben Selecman. We are thankful for every day that Ben had the opportunity to serve the people of Davidson County. Our prayers are with Ben’s family. He will truly be missed.”
Friends and colleagues described Selecman as a man with a strong sense of justice and a warm, approachable personality. Outside of work, he was known for his love of the outdoors, his faith, and the deep devotion he had for his wife, family, and friends.The loss has been felt far beyond the courtroom and the Jackson family’s inner circle. Fans of Alan Jackson — one of country music’s most beloved figures — have flooded social media with condolences, prayers, and words of comfort for the grieving family. Many have expressed how the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of life’s fragility.
Alan Jackson, who has yet to make a public statement, has long been known for drawing strength from his family during personal hardships. Those close to him say his role now is to be a pillar of support for his daughter during the most difficult chapter of her life.
In less than a year of marriage, Mattie and Ben’s journey together embodied love, faith, and shared dreams for the future — dreams now heartbreakingly cut short.Funeral arrangements for Selecman have not yet been announced. In the meantime, friends, colleagues, and fans alike continue to honor his memory — not only for his professional dedication but for the kindness, determination, and joy he brought to those lucky enough to know him.