Merle Haggard’s Oldest Daughter, Dana, Dead at 61

Dana Haggard, the oldest daughter of the late country legend Merle Haggard, died on Tuesday (4/10). News of her passing was revealed by her half-brother Ben in a reflective post on Instagram.

“My oldest sister Dana passed away yesterday. This photo absolutely broke my heart, I know she’s hugging dad’s arm again,” Ben wrote to the social media platform. “I’ll miss you sister. RIP.”

Attached to Ben’s post was a family photo of his late father and sister as she rested her head on his shoulder.

According to The Bakersfield Californian, Dana passed away in her sleep, though a cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

“It could have been heartache,” Ben told the publication. “We just had the second anniversary (of their father’s death) and she was missing the old man. Who knows?”

The heartbroken brother also revealed that he last saw his sister at a show in Oklahoma a month ago where she performed in honor of their late father.

“She got up and sang, ‘Today I Started Loving You Again,'” he shared. “And she sang her heart out. We all knew who she was singing for.”

Dana was born in 1957 to Merle Haggard and his first wife, Leona Hobbs. She was a musician in her own right, performing regularly in her father’s band, The Strangers. She also performed with her brother Marty as Marty and Dana Haggard and the Driftwood Band.

Her passing comes just days after the two-year anniversary of her father’s death. Merle Haggard passed away on his 79th birthday (April 6, 2016).