Who Was Brett James' Stepdaughter, Meryl Wilson? Turned 28 Before Dying With Him In A Plane Crash

The music world is trying to cope with the devastating news that Grammy Award-winning songwriter Brett James, 57, has died in a plane crash. Soon, the news turned more shocking after it was revealed that his now wife, Melody Carole, 59 and her daughter, Meryl Maxwell Wilson, 28, lost their lives leaving their families in unbearable pain.

The tragedy took place in North Carolina on September 18, 2025, after taking off from Nashville earlier in the day. While Brett was well known in the media, here's everything to know about his stepdaughter, who lost her life, a day after her 28th birthday. 

Who was Brett James' stepdaughter, Meryl Wilson?

Meryl Wilson, daughter of Brett James's wife, Melody Carole, used to live a rather simple and private life. For her, the tragedy came just a day after she celebrated her 28th birthday. Taking to her Instagram handle, she reflected on her personal milestones and penned, "28 years old, 142 days sober, Extremely happy to be here.". Even her mother, Melody, had also shared a heartfelt birthday tribute just hours before the crash and called Meryl "the most beautiful, amazing human inside and out." It even gave an insight into her battle with addiction and how she was trying to overcome it.

Meryl Wilson was an active Instagram user and often shared pictures with her friends and family. With some of her last few pictures, she had been celebrating her little milestones in being sober. At the same time, a few months ago, Meryl had mourned the loss of her best friend, Joan, for 10 years. After recalling their bond over time, she penned in the last line, "Can't wait to meet you again", in a moving post. It has now received a lot of condolence messages from her followers. Apart from this, she used to share a lot of pictures of her mom, brother, Lucas and even stepfather, Brett James, frequently hinting at their close-knit bond. Especially in one of her old pictures, she posed with Brett and wrote:

"There's nothing better than you, Pop." 

Melody Carole tied the knot with Brett James in 2021

Melody Carole Wilson, Brett James' wife since 2021, also died with them in the crash. The 59-year-old mother had built a life full of love and family. She often shared photos and messages that celebrated her children's milestones. In January 2022, she marked her wedding to James with a joyful post, calling the year "awesome." That same year, her son Lucas married Sierra, and Melody proudly welcomed her new daughter-in-law into the family. Although she kept her professional life private, Melody's Instagram page reflected her devotion as a mother and wife. 

How did Brett James, Melody Carole and Meryl Wilson die? 

On September 18, 2025, the joy of Brett James and his family turned to sorrow after a small-engine plane carrying Brett, Melody, and Meryl crashed in a field. The Macon County Sheriff's Office assured the public that students and staff were safe in a nearby school. But the tragedy shook the community. Now, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, Brett James is survived by his four adult children from his first marriage. 

We share our heartfelt condolences to Brett James, Medical Carole and Meryl Wilson's family in this difficult time. 

Next Read: Jayne Kennedy, Leon Isaac's Love Story, Their 10-Year Marriage And The Reasons Behind Their Divorce

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