D’Angelo Was ‘Extremely Overwhelmed’ by Losing Ex Angie Stone in Car Crash Earlier This Year: ‘Devastating’ (Exclusive)

After Angie Stone tragically died in a car crash earlier this year, D’Angelo was devastated.

Following news of the neo-soul legend’s death on Tuesday, Oct. 14, a source tells PEOPLE that “losing Angie was devastating to him.”

“He never arrived at her funeral service. He was extremely overwhelmed,” the source adds. “They’d moved on with their lives romantically of course, but the idea that both of them would be gone within the same year is sad.”

The source concludes, “They were forever tied as this pop culture couple.”

Stone, who was a Grammy-nominated R&B singer, died in an accident near Montgomery, Ala., on March 1. She was 63.

D’Angelo (born Michael Eugene Archer) and Stone dated in the ’90s and they welcomed son Michael Jr. in 1998.

In addition to their romantic relationship, the pair were also musical collaborators. Stone toured with D’Angelo as a background vocalist on his Brown Sugar tour and she contributed to his debut album of the same name. They also co-wrote the song “Everyday” for her 1999 debut album Black Diamond.

In a 2014 profile for GQ, Stone said that she knew “a superstar was on the rise” the moment she met him.

In 2023, Stone appeared on VladTV and set the record straight on their 13-year age difference.

“He pursued me, I did not pursue him,” she said at the time. “I thought he was older than he was because he had an old soul… At the time, we were just the best of friends. As time grew, we ended up falling for each other. All I can tell you is s— happens.”

The “Unshaken” performer died Tuesday, Oct. 14 in New York City following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, his estate confirmed. He was 51.

“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life…After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025.”

The statement continued: “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

The “Lady” singer released his debut album, Brown Sugar, in 1995 and it peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. It went platinum within a year of its release.

His sophomore album Voodoo came out five years later and it peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Voodoo won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. His third album Black Messiah came out in 2014 and earned him two more Grammy Awards.