NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Police recovered the vehicle of a missing musician on Sunday who may have suffered a heart attack while driving to the hospital late last week.
Maurice Carter, 43, was a member of Christ Church's choir and background vocalist for country superstar Wynonna Judd. He was last heard from Friday evening.
Family and friends launched a search for Carter, using social media networks to make others aware of his disappearance.
On Sunday, Metro police recovered Carter's car and notified family members he had died.
His family is expected to ask police for a thorough investigation into his death.
"The world has lost a soulful voice," Christ Church Senior Pastor Dan Scott said. "Maurice would sing and your heart would open up."
Carter returned late last week from a trip to Japan to help raise money for tsunami and earthquake recovery. He, along with other members of the Christ Church choir performed.
Carter was also working on Christian music to record to sell in order to raise funds.
"He was overwhelmed with the need for the people following the tsunami and earthquake," Pastor Scott said. "Maurice was just loved and particularly because he was kind of an agent of reconciliation."
Sunday, Christ Church's usual evening service was changed into a time of reflection for Carter's friends.
Members shared personal stories and sang some of the songs Carter wrote for the Christ Church choir.
"I got to sing with him and travel with him we were supposed to have a session this week," Carter's Friend Lici Brown said. "I do not know what I will do looking at the tenor microphone and he is not there."
Many talked about Carter's larger than life personality and sense of humor.
"As soon as I knew Maurice was gone I thought my God the breadth of people who are going to be so hurt and miss him," Brown said.
Judd was performing in Washington D.C. Sunday night.
In a statement, she said, "Looking over tonight and seeing an empty stool is incomprehensible. I have lost a dear friend and I will miss hearing his beautiful voice every night."
"He was one of the funniest people I have ever worked with and it was an honor and privilege to know him," the statement continued. "Right now he's probably jamming with [Michael Jackson]!"
Christ Church plans to continue Carter's mission to raise funds to help with tsunami and earthquake recovery in Japan.
Funeral arrangements for Carter are pending.
