01What happened
The story, straight
Justin Cary, the longtime bassist of Sixpence None the Richer, died on June 11 of a stroke. He was 50 years old. His death was confirmed by the band's lead singer, Leigh Nash, who wrote in an Instagram post that Cary had been 'our brother of 30 years.'
Justin Cary, the bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, died June 11 from a stroke at 50. Lead singer Leigh Nash confirmed it on Instagram, calling him 'our brother of 30 years.'
02Spread timeline
Where it actually started
03Source receipts
Every claim, linked
04What's solid, what isn't
What's solid and what isn't
- Justin Cary died on June 11, 2026, of a stroke at age 50.
- He was the longtime bassist of Sixpence None the Richer.
- Leigh Nash confirmed the death via Instagram.
05Why it matters
The editorial take
Cary anchored the bass lines for one of the most recognizable alt-rock acts of the late 1990s — 'Kiss Me' was inescapable in 1999. His death at 50 is a reminder that the musicians behind ubiquitous hits are mortal, and that strokes don't discriminate by age.
the guy who played bass on 'Kiss Me' just died at 50 from a stroke. thirty years with the band. that song was inescapable — proms, romcoms, grocery stores. 50 is way too young.