'Sonny With a Chance' Star Tiffany Thornton's Husband Chris Carney Dies at 35
Christopher Carney, star of the MTV reality show twentyfourseven and husband of former Disney star Tiffany Thornton, was killed in a single-vehicle car crash on Friday, ET has learned. He was 35.
The late father of two was pronounced dead at the scene with another man, 37-year-old Ezekiel Blanton, who was driving the vehicle on U.S. Highway 70 East, Bill Sader, public information officer for the Arkansas State Police, tells ET. Blanton was traveling westbound, approximately six miles east of Hot Springs, where both Carney and Blanton resided. Carney's mother, Ruth, is mayor of the town.
Sarah Ruth King Carney, who is married to Chris' brother, Greg Carney, shared a personal message with ET.
"Chris was at the best time in his life. He turned his life around and made his life right," she told ET. "He was the best father to his beautiful boys. And the best husband to his wife. He had such a big heart. Loved his family and friends so much. And he is loved by many. He will always be remembered and we know he is in heaven."
She also posted a tribute to Instagram, simply writing, "Family is everything."
"The city of Hot Springs Board of Directors, staff and employees extend their heartfelt sympathy to Mayor Ruth Carney, Rev. Ken Carney, Tiffany Thornton Carney, and the entire family upon the death of Chris Carney in a car accident which occurred early this morning," a statement from the city of Hot Springs read. "Please keep the Carney family in your thoughts and prayers at this time."
This incident marks the 12th death on Highway 70 since November 2014, according to a report by THV 11.
Carney, who was also the lead singer of the group The Prom Kings, married Thornton in 2011. He and the Sonny With a Chance actress have two children together, Kenneth James "KJ" Carney, 3, and Bentley Cash Carney, 21 months.
This is an incredibly unfortunate time for 29-year-old Thornton, who also lost her best friend, Brittany Blanton, just one day earlier. Despite the fact that Thornton's friend shares the same last name as the other man who was in the car with Carney, Sarah told ET that the two have "no relation."
"I keep thinking this can't be real. One of my very best friends is gone and the place she holds in my heart will never be filled," she captioned a collage posted to Instagram on Thursday. "Reserve me a spot next to you in Heaven BB, I know I'll see you there again one day. Love you."
Upon hearing the news, friends and family of the couple took to social media to pay their respects to the late TV personality and musician.
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"My heart hurts today. U will be missed #chriscarney!! I Love you KING!!!! Sending my love and prayers to this wonderful family @tiffthornton @gregcarneyfu and the whole family," Evan Ross wrote. "I can't tell you how much you will be missed my brother."
"This isn't real," Thornton's former co-star, Demi Lovato, tweeted.
Actress Samantha Droke also sent prayers.
"I've re-written this a million times, as I just don't know where to begin," actress Cassie Scerbo tweeted. "This morning we lost an incredible soul..."
"Today is a sad day," Punk'd star Ryan Pinkston wrote.
Today is a sad day. Love you, @ChrisGCarney.
— Ryan Pinkston (@Ryan_Pinkston) December 4, 2015Mason Musso of pop punk band Metro Station took to Instagram, writing, "You were an older brother to me."