Kittie bassist Trish Doan passed away on February 11, 2017, at the age of 31. Some sources speculate that she died by suicide, but here’s the truth.
Struggles with Mental Health and Eating Disorder
Doan was open about her struggles with severe depression. She often expressed her frustrations on social media after moving to Australia in 2013. In one of her final tweets, she credited a depression support charity for keeping her and her sister alive.
Her mental health struggles were not new. Doan left Kittie in 2008 due to anorexia-athletica-nervosa, an eating disorder that causes extreme food restriction and obsessive exercise. She later rejoined the band in 2012, but her struggles with depression never fully went away.
Trish Doan’s Cause of Death
Kittie announced Trish Doan’s death on February 13, 2017 through their Facebook page, stating that they were devastated by the loss of their ‘sister and best friend.’
Her sister Riley Doan later confirmed that she had actually passed away two days earlier, on February 11. No official cause of death was revealed at the time. There was no confirmation from her family or bandmates, but several reports suggested that suicide was a possibility. As she was dealing with eating disorders and depression, this is a possibility.
Tributes from Bandmates and Friends
Many who knew Doan personally shared their grief and memories of her. Morgan Lander (Kittie’s frontwoman) wrote, “She was a part of my family, now forever changed. She had a fiery, vibrant light that could never be extinguished, even now.”
Ivy Vujic Jenkins (former Kittie bassist) said, “She left an imprint on so many lives. Her memory and legacy will outlive her physical form.”
Kittie performed an acoustic version of ‘Funeral for Yesterday’ in October 2017 in her memory. A tribute video was also released on February 12, 2018 at the first anniversary of her passing.
The Impact of Her Death on Kittie
Doan’s death had a lasting impact on Kittie. Morgan and Mercedes Lander both admitted that continuing without her felt wrong. The band went on a long hiatus, and for years, it was unclear if they would ever return.
Kittie reunited for live shows in 2022. They were back in the studio by 2023, and they released the album ‘Fire’ on June 21, 2024.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available. Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 in the U.S.) or text HOME to 741741 for confidential help. You’re not alone.
