Naomi Judd Died From Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Ashley Judd Says

NASHVILLE, TN — Grammy-winning singer Naomi Judd died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, daughter Ashley Judd said in an emotional interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday morning.

"That's the piece of information that we are very uncomfortable sharing, but understand that we're in a position that if we don't say it, someone else is going to," said Ashley, who was designated by sister Wynonna Judd and father, Larry Strickland, as the family's representative to speak on Naomi's death and mental illness.

Naomi died unexpectedly April 30 because of the "disease of mental illness," the sisters told The Associated Press. The family is keeping some of the details of her death private, but Ashley Judd said Thursday the illness was causing Naomi "anguish."

"When we're talking about mental illness, it's very important to make the distinction between your loved one and the disease," Ashley said. "It's very real, and it lies. It's savage."

Naomi's death occurred a day before she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame with Wynonna as part of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds.

"That's the level of catastrophe of what was going on inside her. The regard in which they held her couldn't penetrate into her heart," Ashley said.

Ashley was visiting her mother in Nashville on April 30 and, after answering the door for a friend, was the one who found Naomi, she said.

"I just can't believe she's gone," Wynonna said in a letter read by Ashley during the interview.

Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, visiting this website or by texting HOME to 741741.