what happened to vanessa brown knowles

Vanessa Brown Knowles tragically passed away on September 28, 2025, due to a multi-vehicle car accident on the I-55 highway in Festus, Missouri. The accident involved a tractor-trailer driven by Richard Holden crashing into the rear of a Toyota Camry, which then caused a chain collision involving eight vehicles. Vanessa was one of the three people who died in the crash, which also caused injuries to five others. The driver responsible was booked for three counts of involuntary manslaughter and is currently in jail. Vanessa Brown Knowles was a founding member of the gospel quartet The Brown Singers, which she started in 1976 at the age of 14. She was also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2002 and recovering after extensive treatment. Vanessa dedicated part of her life to supporting cancer survivors and wrote a book titled "Breast Cancer and Me: Dealing With Your State of Mind" to inspire hope and faith. She is survived by her two daughters, including gospel singer Lisa Knowles-Smith, who publicly mourned her passing and expressed gratitude for the support from fans and well-wishers during this difficult time.