Many Questions Linger After the Death of Todd Snider
When it was officially announced on Saturday morning, November 15th that American songwriting legend Todd Snider had died at the age of 59, it left his fans, friends, and the public with more questions than answers. The tragic news came in the aftermath of a sordid and complex series of incidents in Salt Lake City, Utah stemming from Todd’s scheduled appearance at the Commonwealth Room in South Salt Lake on November 1st.
Todd Snider had just released his latest album High, Lonesome, and Then Some on October 17th, and was attempting to go on a proper tour for the first time since 2022 when the issues in Salt Lake City occurred. The Commonwealth Room show was the tour’s second stop. But the show never happened. After Todd Snider claimed he was assaulted on Halloween, October 31st, the tour was cancelled. This was the first indication that something had gone tragically wrong in Salt Lake.
Though some media outlets reported the tour cancellation and the Snider team’s statement on the assault, others dug a little deeper to ask whether there was an active investigation into the alleged assault, if there were any suspects or persons of interest, video footage, photos, or anything else the public could be made aware of to try and find out who the perpetrators were and bring them to justice.
It was through these inquiries where it was revealed that Todd Snider had also been arrested on Sunday, November 2nd at the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City for suspicion of criminal trespass, threat of violence, and disorderly conduct—two Class B misdemeanors and an infraction. The arrest happened while Todd Snider was seeking treatment at the hospital. This is also where body camera footage of Snider was recorded, and disseminated through local and tabloid media days later.
In the body camera footage, Todd Snider clearly looked distraught, was complaining of “hurting all over,” said multiple times, “I can’t breathe,” and also said that he was cold and just wanted medical treatment. Snider also said at one point that his band had abandoned him, and that he was “famous” along with proclaiming “I’m not homeless.”
For a chronological explanation of the events from Salt Lake City leading up to Todd Snider’s death, see the timeline below.
In the statement about Todd Snider’s death, his team says Snider died from a case of walking pneumonia that turned fatal. This has given rise to concerns that Todd truly was sick and in need of hospitalization in Salt Lake City, and instead was turned away after being profiled as a homeless vagrant. Snider was then arrested and charged, all of which ultimately robbed Snider of critical moments when he could have been treated to potentially save his life, leading up to Snider’s death in a hospital after returning home to Nashville.
However, some in the public want to indict Todd Snider for being a drug addict who was simply turning to the hospital for a fix, and using the claims of an assault and pneumonia as a smoke screen. Others say he was clearly suffering from a mental health episode while engaging in aggressive behavior and was rightfully arrested for berating medical staff. Snider has been open with audiences about his drug use and battles with addiction in the past.
In truth, one, two, or all three of these possibilities could be accurate at the same time, creating the convoluted aspect of this situation that is difficult to give a conclusive determination on at this time. If Todd Snider’s band quit in Salt Lake City as Snider claimed himself, it’s not hard to conclude that he could have been equally as combative to hospital staff, necessitating his removal from the facility. Over the last few years, the stories of Snider cancelling shows last minute, berating audiences, and being generally moody have increased.
Irrespective of everything else though, Todd Snider very well could have been experiencing pneumonia while in Salt Lake City. Walking pneumonia symptoms can progress slowly over 1 to 3 weeks, and become fatal. Symptoms can include fever, which can induce delirium, irritability, and disorientation. It has been confirmed that Snider had staples in his head from a visit to a hospital days prior to the November 2nd arrest due to the alleged assault. If Snider suffered a brain injury or concussion during the assault, this could have resulted in disorientation or other issues as well.
Due to the nature of HIPAA laws that protect the privacy of personal health information, many of the details of Todd Snider’s health situation will not be available to the public unless it’s revealed through his family or representatives, or those details come out in the discovery phase of a trial or legal action. Only an autopsy would be made publicly available, though this would only give details on Snider’s health at the time of his death on November 14th, not when he was denied medical treatment in Salt Lake City on November 2nd. Autopsies usually take 5 to 7 weeks to conduct.
According to multiple sources with information Saving Country Music is still working to confirm, after Todd Snider returned to Nashville from Salt Lake City, he was soon admitted to the Hendersonville hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing, and later transferred to another hospital as his condition worsened. Snider potentially entered the hospital on the evening of Saturday, November 8th where he was eventually diagnosed with pneumonia, and admitted to the ICU.
The pneumonia ultimately turned into sepsis, with Snider either slipping into a coma or being placed in a medically-induced coma before he eventually died on November 14th. When Todd Snider passed away, family and friends had gathered around him, and he’d been unconscious for days.
Irrespective of the specifics of Todd Snider’s situation in Salt Lake City, the prevailing sentiment that many people feel about the death of Todd Snider at 59 is that is was preventable. The details of Todd Snider’s moments in Salt Lake City deserve to be thoroughly investigated and rigorously scrutinized. Regardless of the cause, Todd Snider was giving out both figurative and literal cries for help in Salt Lake City, and those cries were not answered.
The story of Todd Snider’s death parallels the pernicious and rising issue in America where so many individuals fall through the cracks of the medical care, mental health, and legal systems to end up dead or on the street. Todd Snider was a respected musician famous throughout the songwriting world, and still experienced this outcome. Questions must be asked about what happened to Todd Snider, because what happened to Todd Snider could happen to other touring musicians, or any one of us.
Outstanding Questions About Todd Snider:
1. When and how did Todd Snider contract pneumonia?
We know Snider was treated for the alleged assault at a Salt Lake area hospital around October 31st since he had medical staples in his head. Did medical professionals check Snider for further medical issues, and did he complain about further medical issues at that time? Similar to the second hospital Todd Snider visited, did Snider want to stay, and did they discharge him anyway?
2. To what degree or severity was Todd Snider’s behavior at the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City?
Is there any video surveillance of Todd Snider at the Holy Cross Hospital on November 2nd? Was Todd Snider immediately unruly and combative with hospital staff, or did the incident only escalate after Snider was being denied care? Was Snider profiled as being homeless, and how did this factor in the hospital denying care? Did the hospital make any effort to determine if Snider was suffering from any medical conditions?
When Snider was arrested by the Salt Lake City Police Department at the hospital, was any effort expended to make sure Snider was physically well while in police custody?
3. What is the status of the investigation into the alleged assault of Todd Snider on October 31st?
Police were notified twice of the alleged assault on October 31st, but so far there have been no suspects named, and no more details shared with the public. Will the incident be looked into further now that Snider is dead?
According to sources, Snider was also claiming that he was assaulted in a laundromat in Salt Lake where he sought shelter to get warm at one point, and was also attacked in his jail cell while in police custody. Are these alleged incidents being investigated? What role did the injuries from the assault potentially play in the contraction or severity of the pneumonia and eventual sepsis?
In the statement from Aimless Inc. on November 3rd announcing the cancellation of the tour, it says that Todd Snider was assaulted outside of his hotel. However, local police reports say the assault happened at the venue, the Commonwealth Room, where Snider was scheduled to play on November 1st. Where and when specifically did the alleged assault occur?
UPDATE: After speaking once again to South Salt Lake Police (a different jurisdiction from the Salt Lake City Police Department), they clarified that they received a phone call from a complainant at the Commonwealth Room about Todd Snider’s alleged assault on November 1st, but the alleged assault itself occurred the evening before (October 31st), and not at the Commonwealth Room, clearing up the previous discrepancy.
4. What happened with Todd Snider after he arrived back in Nashville?
At some point, Snider flew back home from Salt Lake City. What happened between the time Snider returned to Nashville and was admitted to the hospital, potentially at around 9 pm on November 8th? Did anything significant happen in the two to four days in between these events that might have contributed to Todd Snider’s deteriorating health? If he should have been admitted to the hospital on November 2nd, why wasn’t he admitted to the hospital immediately after returning to Nashville?
5. What role did drugs play in Todd Snider’s situation, either in Salt Lake City, or before he was admitted to the hospital in Hendersonville?
Snider was suffering from spinal stenosis, and this is the reason he had not been touring since 2022. Was he prescribed painkillers, and did he have them with him in Salt Lake City? Was he seeking treatment for his back pain? How did Snider’s drug history play into the decision by doctors to prescribe him pain medication after the alleged assault, or to not? Was Snider’s body already in a compromised state when he contracted pneumonia due to drug use?
What role did mental health issues and/or drug use play in Snider’s band abandoning him in Salt Lake City? Was Todd Snider fit to tour when he left Nashville?
5. When did Todd Snider die?
A public statement went out to friends and fans on November 14th at 2:33 pm Central asking for thoughts and prayers. Snider’s death wasn’t officially disclosed until 9:06 am November 15th, but multiple sources say he passed on November 14th. Robert Earl Keen announced Todd Snider’s death on the night of November 14th during a private function, for example. Cody Canada at the Troubadour Festival in Texas says he passed away at 4:13 pm on November 14th.
A Timeline of What We Know:
(updating as new information is confirmed)
Friday Oct. 31st – The date the Todd Snider camp claims Snider was “the victim of a violent assault” outside of his hotel room.
Saturday, Nov. 1st at about 3:40 pm– South Salt Lake Police Department officers were called out to investigate “a report of an alleged assault of a 59-year-old male” at the Commonwealth Room by a complainant that was not Todd Snider. However, the actual assault allegedly occurred the evening before. Limited information about the alleged incident was obtained. “At this time, the exact location and details surrounding this incident are unclear,” police later said in a statement.
Editor’s Note: This information has been updated to reflect that South Salt Lake police received a phone call about the alleged assault on November 1st, not October 31st as previously reported.
Saturday, Nov. 1st – Todd Snider’s show at the Commonwealth Room is cancelled with no public notice. Fans say they arrive at the venue and see the touring vehicle parked there, but no show happens. Todd Snider’s band allegedly abandons him.
Sunday, Nov. 2nd – Salt Lake City Police Detective Michael Ruff says Todd Snider flagged a bystander down at 245 S. State Street at about 3:40 pm and asked them to call police. Snider ended up talking to the dispatcher, and told them he’d been assaulted and robbed the night before (potentially the alleged Laundromat assault, not the initial assault on October 31st).
When police arrived “[Snider] basically told [officers] he’d been in town with his band, and the band left him,” says Detective Ruff. “All he could tell [officers] was he was mugged at the venue he was supposed to play at.” Police leave without any further action.
NOTE: Todd Snider did not carry a cell phone. Though he had his passport, other personal belongings including prescriptions and other personal paperwork might have left behind with the band.
Sunday, Nov. 2nd – After the interaction with police, Todd Snider walks (or is transported) two miles east to the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City where he tries to admit himself for care. When hospital staff refuse to treat him, Snider becomes aggressive, and police are called. Snider is arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, threat of violence, and disorderly conduct, and taken to jail.
Monday, Nov. 3rd – According to the Salt Lake County Jail, Todd Snider was discharged after spending the night in the county jail. They do not disclose specific times when individuals are discharged.
Monday, Nov. 3rd – Aimless Inc. announces the cancellation of Todd Snider’s High, Lonesome, and The Some tour in a public statement, along with saying he was assaulted outside of his hotel.
Nov. 4 to Nov. 7 – Todd Snider is discharged from the Salt Lake City jail, flies home to Nashville, and is there for a few days before being admitted to the hospital.
Saturday, Nov. 8th – Todd Snider is potentially admitted to the TriStar hospital in Hendersonville, TN, diagnosed with pneumonia, and admitted to the ICU. He’s later transferred to another TriStar hospital as his condition worsens.
Friday, Nov. 14th – A statement is published at 2:33 Central asking for fans, friends, and family to keep Todd Snider in their thoughts and prayers.
Friday, Nov. 14th – Todd Snider passes away (at 4:13 pm according to Cody Canada during a tribute at Troubadour Festival in Texas).
Saturday, Nov. 15th – A statement from Aimless Inc. at 9:06 am confirms Todd Snider’s death.
– – – – – – – – – –
Saving Country Music’s investigation into the death of Todd Snider is ongoing. Anyone with further information can reach out via Saving Country Music’s Contact Page.
– – – – – – –
If you found this article valuable, consider leaving Saving Country Music A TIP.
November 17, 2025 @ 8:34 am
What a sad situation. It’s hard to understand, no matter how difficult he was being in SLC, that no one in his circle stuck around to at least keep tabs on him or at the very least called in someone from home, closer to him that he might have more trusted, to come out and look after him.
I don’t know anything about the music business, but wouldn’t someone other than the band be touring with him? An agent? a manager or some kind of rep from his management company? a publicist? a friend? someone? anyone?
November 17, 2025 @ 8:49 am
My understanding is there was also a tour manager, and that tour manager also left with the band. Snider also had a previous tour manager for many years, but he left the picture a while ago and was not on this tour. I am purposely recusing the names of the folks who were in the touring entourage at this point until we know more about what happened, and potentially those individuals want to speak on their own behalf. The people who need to know those names, they know them. I don’t want people assuming the worst about anyone else who was involved here, and potentially harassing them. There are a lot of emotions about all of this that are still very raw.
All that said, I do think that it’s important that people understand that Todd Snider himself said to the police numerous times that his band had left him. It does appear that the band likely did leave him, probably because of Todd’s behavior. But we don’t have all the details there yet as people are still processing Snider’s death.
November 18, 2025 @ 12:36 pm
this is so tragic. Sounds suspiciously like a subdural hematoma. I kept thinking of the funny story he would tell of the church folks thinking he was homeless. Such a loss…..
November 17, 2025 @ 8:50 am
Just wanna say thanks for giving a fuck. This has been genuinely so upsetting to me.
November 17, 2025 @ 8:58 am
ERs don’t turn folks away for being “homeless vagrants.” That’s a huge chunk of who they treat (my son is an EMT and he once told me about 90% of the people they transport to the hospital are mentally ill, drug addicts, homeless, or all of the above). They also can’t treat folks who don’t want treatment. If Snider melted down and walked out, they can’t go kidnap him and bring him back. But this is all speculation. We weren’t there. Look forward to the facts coming out. But whatever they are, it doesn’t change the fact that we lost a great one.
November 17, 2025 @ 9:24 am
There is no indication that Todd Snider “melted down and walked out.” Every indication that can be seen from the body cam footage is that he wanted to stay at the hospital and was forced out by staff, then arrested by police.
We don’t know if Todd Snider was profiled for being homeless. There is some indication he MIGHT have been since he said this to police while being arrested and taken away from the hospital. He certainly felt like he was being profiled. Some laughed that he was saying “I’m famous,” but this was him pleading his case that he was not a vagrant.
The biggest question is what happened before the police arrived that caused the hospital to kick Snider out, and call the police. We don’t have any video footage of that.
November 20, 2025 @ 12:53 pm
“Big city” hospitals (public, mostly and private)here (in NYC) routinely treat impaired, unruly, inebriated and mentally ill patients all the time. If they present as a danger to themselves or others, they arent going anywhere until they are are stabilized, period. And with that, they have the personnel on hand to treat physically combative patients too. A lump on the head will get a CT scan, cuts and abrasions will be treated properly. And a psych evaluation will be called for (with a 72 hour hold). They will also get referrals to treatment programs, rehabs and the like. Its is up to them. (In this case TS was asking for more help and should have been evaluated just in case).
It May be a “thing” with “for profit” hospitals to “homeless/poor” profile (disgusting). And surprising for the police who deal with high/meth and fentanyl (besides the bar fights and Walnart shoplifting). From the body cam video, he may not have looked in any particular way, but I would think they would have another look to avoid costly litigation.
And yes, you can point fingers at handlers to a degree other than to stop the tour. However even with great resources, it may not help ( like a big female pop star lately).
Such a shame, but like Trig has said, this will have to come out in discovery. A tragedy indeed, compounded by the callous comments here
November 17, 2025 @ 11:46 pm
You’re asked to provide ID and insurance info. at a hospital. They’ll treat you in the Emergecny Room even if you don’t have it, but theyll at least ask you to verbally provide your name, address and SS No. and name of your health insurer, if you can.
[That’s not something a hospital is likely to slough off, since they really to want to get paid.]
I suppose Snider may have lost his wallet to the mugger, but he was a very articlulate guy–a wordsmith.
Snider wouldd have to have been in really bad shape at the hospital if he could not respond to questions in a way that let them know who he was and that he was in town on business and staying at a hotel.
All the more reason why it’s perplexing that he seems to have been discharged against his will.
November 19, 2025 @ 6:47 pm
They don’t turn you away but the level of care may not be what you would expect. I had a personal experience with this when I drove myself to the hospital for stiches after catching an elbow in a brawl that broke out in a restaurant. I had nothing to do with the altercation and was collateral damage but I smelled of alcohol because a table was overturned and I had drinks spilled on my clothing. They treated me like crap. Gave me huge black stiches in my face and called the cops on me because they thought I was drunk. I blew 0 on the breathalyzer and was released. No CT scan (I had been knocked unconscious) no pain meds and they stiched me up without lidocaine because. I saw my PCP the next day and he was livid. He said there was no excuse to stitch up a person’s face like they did, and made no effort to even bring my eyebrows together. One is now 1/4″ higher on on the inside than the outside of my brow. So yes, when he was asking for a bed they thought he was looking for a place to crash and not looking to be admitted. Side note, he has EDS and spinal stenosis, so yes I imagine he has a lot of pain.
January 12, 2026 @ 11:36 am
His insurance card was provided and was in his back pocket. He did not have his medicine for the stenosis and needed it ( non opiod) the side effects of abruptly going off these medications is severe ..and most definately contributed to his anxiety. People dropped the ball big time . Its getting harder to find good humans….
November 17, 2025 @ 9:02 am
Thanks for continuing to look into this tragedy. I’ve been a fan of Snider’s for years and this news is heartbreaking.
November 17, 2025 @ 9:28 am
HIPAA not HIPPA.
November 17, 2025 @ 11:18 pm
No, HIPPA applies if you get a glimpse around the sliding ceiling-to-floor curtain in your room and you notice that the patient in the other bed in your room is a “hippapotomus.”
November 17, 2025 @ 9:48 am
You could tell that the older chubby security guard had it out for Todd from the
jump. You can see the video on You Tube. It was heartbreaking and infuriating. Regardless of
their assumptions of Todd (drug addict, homeless, etc), he was BEGGING for them to help him. He most likely was suffering from a possible concussion as well as the onset of pneumonia, which likely affected his behavior. This was a medical issue. I honestly hope someone investigates that hospital, the security team at the hospital, and comes up with some new protocol after this. It’s unethical and a high chance this was preventable if he had the earliest treatment possible, and not had to deal with this incompetence.
November 17, 2025 @ 10:15 am
Even if Todd Snider was being unruly and verbally abusive, there are protocols dealing with criminals who need medical treatment, or people suffering from mental illness who need medical treatment. If you shoot at police and they shoot back and you are injured, they are not just going to take you to jail and let you bleed out on the floor. They will take you to the hospital, handcuff you to the gurney, post a guard outside the room, and make sure you’re treated for your injuries before going to jail. That is the law.
Before Todd Snider was kicked out of the hospital, was any effort made to diagnose him medically? Was he running a fever? Was he having trouble breathing and experiencing chills, showing other indications of serious illness that he speaks to on the body camera footage?
I also think it’s interesting that Snider said the police were treating him well, and he thanked them for that. Was he saying that in contrast to how he was treated by hospital security staff? Snider is definitely complaining in the Body Cam footage, but he’s not being physically combative, or verbally abusive.
December 8, 2025 @ 12:24 pm
Nonsensical guessing and storytelling.
November 17, 2025 @ 10:24 am
It’s about time ! I’ve been seeing posts about this for the past few days and most of them have less than 2% of the information that you included in this article Trigger .
It starts a whole bunch of conversations. I’m getting kicked off of Medicaid right now. I look like the fucking Unabomber. Last December one broke my hand in the mountains of Colorado. I didn’t have any insurance.. I was lucky I was in Breckenridge and not Salt Lake. I signed up and got on Medicaid but now I’m getting kicked off again. They purge you quite often.
The drug abuse tho. It’s real hard watching your band mate and friend destroy themselves. You can see it for what it is, and there’s nothing you can do about it. No words or indicting intervention will deter drug use. All you can do is be there for them if they do decide to go clean. Sometimes relationships are unrepairable., but we shouldn’t give up on people entirely. The road is long and lonesome and full of staggers with some nonconsensual side quests. Finding that balance of taking care of yourself and your path is key.
November 19, 2025 @ 7:44 am
Agreed
November 17, 2025 @ 11:37 am
Thank you for investigating the circumstances of Todd’s death more thoroughly. I watched the entire 44 minutes of the police video cam footage on YouTube. The entire time Todd is being transported in the backseat of the police car, he repeatedly tells them he’s having problems breathing. He asks to be taken to a hospital. The police dismiss his complaints, telling Todd that oxygen is all around him in the car, the window is open and that if he just calmed down, he would be able to breathe better. Todd is clearly distraught. For everyone who cares about Todd, I would encourage them to watch the ENTIRE 44 minutes of the video. It paints the picture of a man who was truly in pain and disoriented, asking for help, but not taken seriously. RIP, Todd. You deserved better care. We all deserve better. 🥺
November 19, 2025 @ 7:54 am
I found the video too painful to watch after awhile, and anyone who loved Todd should think twice before watching.
November 23, 2025 @ 2:14 pm
I agree Marcie. I watched the entire video as well. You can hear him coughing repeatedly. He most definitely needed medical care. Very sad.
January 12, 2026 @ 11:45 am
Yes, and the police rolled the windows down and cold air engulfed him..just what you need if you have walking pneumonia, or that could have caused him to contract it …I will say the policemen were much more cordial than those horrible security guards ..big time ball drop , ya’ll and Todd Snider deserved ever so much more ….heartbreaking.
November 17, 2025 @ 12:55 pm
Thank you so much for trying to help us process this loss. Fans don’t want to be considered nosey but we do wanna know how and why we lost this Lengend because of this scenario. We feel robbed and a person’s brain just keeps trying to Understand, ya know? To fans, he felt like an old friend. Glad to know Todd traveled the road less traveled, just like he wanted since he was young. And what a journey it was. Can’t blame us for wanting our Pied Piper around, well, indefinitely. About all we can curl up ,so to speak, is he’s out of that damn spinal stenosis pain. Sail On My singular Friend. Love Always
November 17, 2025 @ 1:22 pm
Thanks for trying to get to the bottom of this tragedy.
The additional questions I have are:
(1) where and when did he get the staples in his head? Was it a different hospital than the one where he was arrested?
(2) where did he sleep the nights of the 31st, 1st and 2nd (after freed from jail)?
(3) why was no one from his entourage with him?
I’ve read that the brain-lung axis can create a dangerous feedback loop: Head trauma can suppress immune function and increase aspiration risk (inhaling fluids into lungs), turning mild pneumonia into severe ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Conversely, ongoing infection heightens brain swelling, neurological deterioration, and secondary infections.
November 17, 2025 @ 2:35 pm
I’m still working to construct a complete timeline here, though I have been able to fill in some gaps since originally posting this article after following up with law enforcement and others all day, and have updated the timeline as such.
Todd Snider visited hospitals in the Salt Lake area at least twice, and potentially three times. The first time was after the alleged assault on October 31st, perhaps outside of his hotel room. This is when he had staples in his head. We know this is true because it’s referenced both in police statements, as well as by Snider himself in the body camera footage.
Then he might have visited another hospital at some point perhaps on the 1st or 2nd. I am still working to confirm this information.
Then he visited the Holy Cross Hospital on November 2nd where he was arrested, and the body camera footage came from.
The night of the 31st, Snider either spent at his hotel, or at the hospital after the assault.
The night of the 1st, Snider very well could have spent this on the street, or at a Laundromat that he later claimed he was assaulted at. Or, he might have spent it somewhere else.
He spent the night of the 2nd at the Salt Lake Country Jail. I was able to just confirm that and update the timeline. He was let go on the 3rd.
The story appears to be that Todd’s tour manager and band quit on him. Todd claimed they “abandoned” him. Though the band and manger have not spoken for themselves publicly (and I am trying to be respectful of their privacy), they appear to have left due to Todd’s behavior, though this has not be publicly confirmed.
November 17, 2025 @ 1:25 pm
First, although I know the released statement referred to his illness as “walking” pneumonia, I wish we could stop using that reference. Walking pneumonia and I guess we’ll call it “regular” pneumonia is the same bacteria – mycoplasma pneumonia. The only difference is how sick you get. Last year it took six days from symptom onset for me to end up on a ventilator in a coma for 3 weeks.
Second, I watched the body cam video in it’s entirety. The way he is treated in this video is appalling, not just because it’s him, but because he is a human being. He is begging for help, begging for treatment. He is cooperating well with the police. The police appear to coach the hospital security guards to state that he threatened them. The hospital seemed to assume that he was unhoused. The police asked him if he is homeless (as if this makes a difference?) Additionally, he complains of widespread body pain, being cold and difficulty breathing. All symptoms of pneumonia. In his voice he sounds sick. The hospital is refusing treatment and the police refused to take him elsewhere and instead took him to jail. At one point the officer told him if he didn’t stop complaining about not being able to breathe he would roll up his window. If he had pneumonia at the time, which it sounds like he did, the assault he experienced could have resulted in ARDS – a rare but severe complication of pneumonia, lung trauma, covid and other lung insults. ARDS has a fairly high mortality rate and prompt treatment is crucial for survival. Denial of treatment could have ultimately resulted in his death. Those in the best position to help instead failed him for what appears to be a prejudiced assumption that he is homeless.
November 17, 2025 @ 9:05 pm
Well said Natalie. And I am glad you made it through your battle with pneumonia!
November 19, 2025 @ 7:52 am
Great analysis-need a legal team to review all these caring and well-thought comments.
November 17, 2025 @ 1:38 pm
This timeline has some holes. He was treated at the Holy Cross hospital and released into the cold (after asking to be admitted). Then, he walked until he was freezing and turned around to try again. When they turned him away for the 2nd time, he became upset and they had him arrested – in the police cam video he seems what i would call ‘reasonable, even though he’s clearly distressed and in need of medical attention. Instead of a hospital bed, he spend the night in a jail cell w/out bail – and later died. Reckless on all accounts by our public servants.
November 17, 2025 @ 2:43 pm
When speaking to the Salt Lake City Police Department today, they alluded to the idea that when Snider was arrested, that was his second visit to the Holy Cross hospital. I am still trying to confirm that information through a verified source. But that would explain why perhaps when he came back a second time, they refused to treat him/ But this also opens up a whole new set of questions, namely if he was experiencing or exhibiting symptoms of pneumonia or other ailments when he was discharged. And if so, why were they not addressed?
November 17, 2025 @ 4:03 pm
“Reckless on all accounts by our public servants.”
Bullshit.
November 19, 2025 @ 7:55 am
You meant to say, “Bullsh*t” regarding the behavior of ALL the “professionals” involved.
November 20, 2025 @ 9:31 am
Stephanie,
Are you talking to me?
I said Exactly what i meant to say.
December 8, 2025 @ 2:47 pm
No,sources. All storytelling guesses.
November 17, 2025 @ 2:33 pm
Unfortunately Todd Snider looked and behaved like a homeless, drug-seeking, mentally unstable person in the eyes of the hospital staff. His combativeness did not help. He was probably already experiencing some disorientation due to the pneumonia and possibly from whatever happen to his head. It really made me sad to watch that footage. If he was evaluated correctly his death probably could have been prevented.
November 17, 2025 @ 8:28 pm
Hospital staff are supposed to be caregivers.
Imagine how they treat the truly chronically unhoused and severely mentally ill.
We are getting a glimpse through what happened to Tood. Who had at least enough awareness and ability with his traumatic brain injury/concussion to know to ask for help.
Many cannot do so.
Family, sue these hospitals for every dollar.
December 8, 2025 @ 2:48 pm
So embarrassing that you wrote this.
ER Nurses should be trained in hand to hand combat?
Crazy expectations from someone not in the field – as usual.
November 17, 2025 @ 3:43 pm
Irrespective of your need for clicks while the story is hot, maybe wait a week before you put your Geraldo hat on….
November 17, 2025 @ 4:27 pm
Waiting a week for the trail to go cold and the public to forget would be the most absolute irresponsible thing to do in this moment. That said, we are still close to the death of Todd Snider, and I am extremely aware of this, making sure that every single step I take, inquiry I make, and piece of information I post is respectful of the situation. I do appreciate the concern and feedback. But “clicks” in is not what this content is after.
November 17, 2025 @ 7:04 pm
It’s called journalism. When something screwed up happens questions need to be asked right away, not in a month after the hospital lawyers have cooked up a story.
November 19, 2025 @ 7:56 am
Let liars “cook up a story”. THAT is the purpose of the judicial branch and jury trials…i.e. truth-seeking.
November 27, 2025 @ 8:01 pm
Hope the circumstances surrounding his tragic death brings help and assist to all those who live this nightmare existence nightly basis.
November 17, 2025 @ 3:54 pm
A lot of unanswered questions but no shortage of opinions… As usual
November 17, 2025 @ 4:30 pm
If you got in Todd Snider’s band or were his tour manager I hope you never get that kind of gig again. If you didn’t know what you were getting into don’t take the gig – to bail like that (especially tour manager) is pretty sad – I hope their names come out.
November 17, 2025 @ 5:17 pm
Roger and everyone else,
I have been all day today talking with law enforcement in Salt Lake City and others. I will have an updated story as soon as I can get all the information in one place and verified.
I really want to caution everyone from thinking the band and Todd’s tour manager “abandoned” Todd. I know that is what Tood said, and they did leave Salt Lake City. But what I am being told from numerous sources is that basically the band left when it was clear the tour would not be able to move forward, and Todd was basically MIA. The manger remained in Salt Lake and did what he could, but Todd was not managable, so to speak. Of course, there are two sides to every story, but I would really would caution people from passing judgement on the band or manager until all the information comes out, which might take some time as people are still mourning the loss of Todd.
November 18, 2025 @ 5:16 am
Anyone willing to work with Todd at this point in his arc loved him deeply. That’s the lens through which we should view the information we get about Todd’s interaction with the folks out on the road with him.
December 8, 2025 @ 2:50 pm
Nonsense and sad internet shaming from someone not posting their identity here.
November 17, 2025 @ 4:37 pm
Good! Something is not right , being left alone with a head injury . I hope the hospital records get a good review . He needed an advocate and he had none .
And for police, when someone says they aren’t breathing well , take them to another ER .
November 17, 2025 @ 6:28 pm
I hope Todd’s family and his fan friends that are attorneys hold the hospital(s) and police department accountable.. I attempted to get records, and the hospital replied “with a subpoena only“. So they are locking it down now that Todd died. I hope the next of kin push. I also had an investigative reporter tell me if I had some records to start with the ball could be carried. And the fans definitely want answers found. I hop his family takes action so that we can get truth and justice for Todd. He deserves that!
November 17, 2025 @ 6:37 pm
Unfortunately, the press and the public are not going to be able to attain Todd Snider’s medical records due to HIPAA laws. This would have to be done by someone in his family, and then made public. The autopsy will be made public, but unfortunately this will not give us much glimpse into Todd’s health when he was in Salt Lake City.
November 17, 2025 @ 7:16 pm
I wasn’t trying to get those. I don’t want to disclose the request however. Perhaps someone else will be a successful or there’s somebody else who can put the legal teeth behind it.
November 17, 2025 @ 6:52 pm
Ain’t that some bullshit?
November 17, 2025 @ 7:14 pm
Also, I haven’t read the 25 comments on here yet before leaving my comment, so don’t know if anyone else has said it, or realized it yet.
Those professionally employed for this tour, you’re looking very guilty. Just saying.
November 17, 2025 @ 8:20 pm
I posted on the earlier threat that I don’t care if we ever find out the truth about the mugging or asssault. Whether Snider was attacked by a random stranger or whether he was acting erratically and provoked someone, or whether he harmed himself for some reason and made up a cover story, etc. I was fine with it remaining private.
I don’t retract my reaction at the time, but now that Snider has shockingly died, I certainly hope that some investigative reporters and producers with a good size budget–maybe from Rolling Stone or from Dateline NBC or some other true crime show–go out to Salt Lake City and try to ferret out everything that Snider did or that othes did to him while he was in Utah.
But Snider should have getten good medical treatment WHATEVER the cause of his injuries was. Snider was arrested on Sunday Novermber 2nd–while trying to get back into the hospital for treatment, for goshsakes!!– and released from custody on Monday November 3rd. What’s unfortunate–and this could have been said without the benefit of hindsight, is that Snider was not taken within 24 hours to a private doctor at a hospital in Utah or flown back to Nashville to see his regular doctors there and given a complete examination and testing and diagnonsis.
Sure seems like he might be alive if he had gotten examined given tests without delay by top doctors.
November 17, 2025 @ 8:32 pm
These are the questions I’ve been asking and no one, to my knowledge, in “journalism” has been pursuing the answers. They keep publishing AI-style summaries. Keep bird-dogging this.
November 17, 2025 @ 11:29 pm
I want to know who the band members are that “ditched” him and how they feel about leaving their bandmate/leader in such a vulnerable state of mind. What about Todds management, did literally NOBODY have this mans back? Sure would like to hear the full story and what actually happened, too many people stood by and allowed Todd to die and someone should be held responsible for dropping the fucking ball that cost him his life.
November 18, 2025 @ 12:35 am
Hello Brion,
There will be an update to this story posted on Tuesday that goes more in-depth into this situation. Though Todd’s characterization is that the band “abandoned” him, my sources are telling me that the band left only after it was determined that Todd Snider would be unable to continue the tour after suffering injuries from the assault, in accordance with the announcement of the tour’s cancellation. His manager stuck around some additional time, but basically was unable to control or keep up with Snider who did not have a cell phone, and was wandering the streets of Salt Lake. I am not saying one story is true or another is false. But there are two sides to every story, and those are the two sides to this one.
November 18, 2025 @ 4:26 am
A call to an adult protective services agency would have been more appropriate than either arrest or abandonment by a manager who has profited from Todd’s career. The hospital’s patient advocate and the D.A.’s office victim-witness unit could also have been helpful, since Todd had been injured in an altercation. There was a lot of “not thinking straight” going on, and it wasn’t only Todd who was doing it.
November 18, 2025 @ 5:12 am
I will be interested to see what the toxicology says. My suspicion is that he really died from a drug od
November 18, 2025 @ 8:56 am
I do hope an autopsy helps clear up some of the confusion surrounding Todd Snider’s death. However, he was in the hospital for 5-7 days before his death, and was unconscious and in a coma for numerous days before he passed. An autopsy won’t help clear up all the details of what was happening in Salt Lake City, and it’s not like Snider died with a needle in his arm. We might not every know if or how drugs played a role.
November 19, 2025 @ 8:04 am
It is my understanding, that he died after being admitted to ICU for pneumonia-he died in hospital-NOT an OD!
Please check yourself for bias.
December 8, 2025 @ 2:54 pm
Have a source?
Or is this your bias?
November 18, 2025 @ 5:14 am
Regarding Todd’s band leaving, people need to remember they were employees, hired for a tour. If there was no tour, there’s no reason for them to stick around. They may have only been told about the assault and that the tour was cancelled without ever laying eyes on Todd or talking to him. The manager may have sent them home. I think we fans like to romanticize the comradery of musicians, when in fact it’s usually just a employer – employee relationship.
November 18, 2025 @ 7:02 am
He tells the cops that he doesn’t have his medication and names Klonopin and Baclofen. So that helps clear up #5.
November 18, 2025 @ 7:12 am
Also important to the timeline–He has staples in his head and an After Visit Summary (discharge paperwork). Nurse, when interviewed by law enforcement, says he had already been to two other hospitals that night, including the “sister hospital” (so records of that visit were viewable by this hospital). When the nurse asked what he wanted that hadn’t already been provided, he complained of all-over-body pain and needing a place to sleep.
November 18, 2025 @ 8:19 am
His After Visit Summary is from the sister hospital and you can see that there is a prescription to be picked up and information about following up with a doctor. You can see that medications were given and tests were done. It’s very blurry, but you can verify the general layout and icons.
November 18, 2025 @ 9:06 am
Good legwork on this Esther. When you look past the tabloid nature of the body cam footage, there are some potentially vital clues to what was happening that might help answer some questions.
January 12, 2026 @ 12:02 pm
Wonder if he ever was able to ” pick up” his prescriptions having been hauled off to jail after still seeking treatment for ” hurting everywhere” .
November 18, 2025 @ 8:02 am
Malingering: the fabrication, feigning, or exaggeration of physical or psychological symptoms designed to achieve a desired outcome, such as personal gain, relief from duty or work, avoiding arrest, receiving medication, or mitigating prison sentencing.
Todd was evaluated, treated, and discharged by two hospitals before coming to the third saying he had all-over-body pain and needed a place to sleep. His tour had been cancelled for spurious reasons. He tells the cops he is missing his benzodiazepine. He is placed in custody.
He appears neurologically intact and exhibits no signs of shortness of breath.
November 18, 2025 @ 10:22 am
Exactly.
November 18, 2025 @ 10:29 am
hold up there Renee – i don’t believe it’s been stated anywhere that that he asked for benzodiazepine. pls provide a source for relaying that verified info. you sound like someone being paid to protect the hospital from their failure to handle Todd’s situation properly. hospitals (and cops!) coordinate w/ local shelters, metal health depts, crime victim support orgs etc routinely. “neurologically intact, no signs fo shortness of breath” – get outta here w/ that nonsense. shame on you.
November 18, 2025 @ 10:59 am
He tells the cops he does not have his meds. They ask him which ones and he says “klonopin, baclofen.” He’s answering questions approprately and talking a lot/yelling. Not confused. Not in respiratory distress.
November 19, 2025 @ 7:09 pm
That makes perfect sense and is appropriate considering he suffers from EDS and spinal stenosis secondary to EDS. He has also been forward about his lifelong battle with depression. If he did not have access to his meds the withdrawal symptoms would exacerbate his anxiety. The problem with chronic pain and a history of addiction is that the pain still has to be managed. If he had lost his meds it would not be a simple thing to just go to a pharmacy. I firmly believe the hospital was dismissive. I think if someone had taken the time to speak with him one on one calmly, they may have gotten a better picture of his medical history and been able to treat him appropriately.
January 12, 2026 @ 12:08 pm
Yes, I call BS on that Renee🤔
November 18, 2025 @ 1:54 pm
oh but you can answer questions and still have an evolving subdural hematoma. Baclofen has a short enough half life Im not surprised he complained of all over body pain. And there he was alone in SLC. He needed help
November 18, 2025 @ 5:24 pm
I want to get back to the genesis of all this. Twenty two staples is ALOT of injury. This has all the trappings of a closed head injury compounded by the respiratory issues. Just freakin’ tragic and sad and I for one have had enough sadness. Nothing is going to bring him back but the holes in our system really need to be dealt with.
November 19, 2025 @ 8:11 am
Thank you for your comment. Did not know just how EXTENSIVE his head injury was…22 Staples in the head, yet discharged by one hospital and refused treatment by another-now he is DEAD-ALL the Health “providers” must be held to account.
November 18, 2025 @ 6:51 pm
Trigger, did you hear this from Otis Gibbs?
https://youtu.be/qZldHLupe0Q?si=jRP50JMqqjTApR4i
Interesting about the prescription Baclofen.
November 18, 2025 @ 7:36 pm
Yes, thanks for posting. I agree it offers some good insight, especially the Baclofen angle. As Lance said in the comment above, it fills in a few holes, but not a lot of them. Gibbs like others is probably saving some of what he knows for a more appropriate time to share it. Something else it helps underscore is that Snider was home in Nashville for multiple days before he went to the hospital. That definitely doesn’t excuse the idea that he might have needed treatment in Salt Lake and didn’t receive it. But it is an important part of the timeline you can’t gloss over.
November 18, 2025 @ 8:40 pm
Maybe it’s a good time to reflect on how we all treat the most vulnerable people. Can’t help Todd, but I know I could do better. Might make a difference for someone.
November 20, 2025 @ 6:31 am
Thanks for actually writing an article that’s not biased. One that is fleshed out! Bravo
November 20, 2025 @ 2:51 pm
How did Todd get back to Nashville?
November 21, 2025 @ 6:26 pm
As a longtime reporter myself, I just want to congratulate and thank Trigger for his incredible job covering this important story.
November 22, 2025 @ 5:46 pm
When I watched Todd’s show posted on YouTube from back in August I see a guy who is like fuck it this is my last go round ya know.
So all of this should come as no surprise, he says it himself that he has lost a lot of friends so his choices led him to where he wanted to be.
It’s fucking sad because we all related to the things he sang or talked about.
Nothing can bring him back so we should just celebrate the gift he left us in his songs.
November 26, 2025 @ 4:28 pm
I AM A LIFELONG FRIEND OF TODD’s—A SISTER REALLY. I WAS JOINING THE TOUR IN PORTLAND —SO WE WERE IN FULL COMMUNICATION THE WHOLE TIME. HE TOLD ME HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WITH A HAMMER UNTIL “THE GUY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. “
(I HAVE THE EMAILS FROM HIM)
CAN SOMEONE ASK THE NURSE AND ATTENDING DOCTORS IF THE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY MULTIPLE HAMMER STRIKES.
ASK THE DOCTORS!!!
THE SECURITY GUY AT THE HOSPITAL LIED AND SAID TODD TOLD HIM HE WAS “GOING TO KICK HIS ASS’
TODD WOULD NEVER SAY THAT BUT THE SECURITY GUY KNEW THAT (THREATS) WOULD GET HIM IN PUT IN JAIL.
WATCH THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE. IT IS ALL IN THERE !!!! CLEARLY LYING. TODD ALSO SAID HE DID NOT SAY THAT. BECAUSE HE ___DID NOT ___SAY RHAT.
I also have some amazing comments from him about his latest album—we’ve exchanged hundreds of emails over the years. Beginning 2013 to a Nov 7th, 2025
February 11, 2026 @ 9:35 am
Trigger,
I was driving to work this morning laughing my arse off listening to Todd tell me a story I have heard a hundred times. That laughter rolled into brutal sadness at the thought that the stories and songs have stopped.
This thread is the best resource I found on what transpired. Do you have any new info to add since late November?
Thank you for all you have done.
February 11, 2026 @ 9:55 am
Hey Scott,
The Todd Snider investigation is ongoing. Right now, I don’t have anything new to share publicly. But I remain committed to trying to tell the full story of what happened.