Flandreau Grieves Beloved Musician Casey Wilson After Tragic Accident Shocks Community

Flandreau, SD — June 3, 2025 — The tight-knit community of Flandreau, South Dakota, is grappling with profound grief following the tragic and untimely passing of Casey Wilson, a cherished local musician, friend, and creative soul whose impact extended far beyond the stage. Wilson, known for his kind heart, infectious energy, and musical brilliance, died in a heartbreaking accident on the evening of Monday, June 2, 2025. He was 37 years old.

Casey Wilson was best known as one-half of the beloved local folk-bluegrass duo Barn Flies, a group he co-founded with his longtime friend and musical partner, Jonah Reed. Together, the pair captured the essence of the Midwest in song—telling stories of life, struggle, love, and laughter in a way that resonated deeply with their audiences. Whether playing in front of a few dozen people at a backyard bonfire or performing for hundreds at local festivals like River Bend Days or the Sioux Empire Fair, Casey had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and part of something larger than themselves.

The accident, which occurred just outside Flandreau near the intersection of Highway 13 and 230th Street, involved a single-vehicle rollover. According to preliminary reports from the Moody County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was returning home from a solo rehearsal session when the vehicle lost control and veered off the road. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash but believe inclement weather may have been a contributing factor.

News of Casey’s death has rippled through Flandreau and the surrounding area, prompting an outpouring of tributes from friends, family, fans, and fellow musicians. Vigils began spontaneously late Monday night, with community members gathering at the town’s bandstand in Flandreau City Park—many with guitars in hand, playing Wilson’s favorite songs through tears and candlelight.

“He was the heartbeat of this community,” said Jonah Reed, holding back emotion. “Casey wasn’t just my bandmate. He was my brother in every way that matters. He had a way of turning everyday life into poetry. The way he lived—his generosity, his laughter, his music—touched everyone.”

Wilson’s contributions went beyond music. He was a volunteer music teacher at Flandreau Public School, often giving free lessons to kids who couldn’t afford them. He played at retirement homes, fundraisers, and church events, always finding time to use his talent for the greater good. Friends say he never turned down a chance to help someone in need.

“He’d show up with a guitar and a smile wherever he was needed,” said local resident and friend Heather Larson. “He didn’t care if it was a paying gig or a favor. To him, music was meant to bring people together. And that’s what he did.”

Born and raised in Flandreau, Casey Wilson developed his love for music at an early age, inspired by the sound of his father’s banjo and his mother’s church choir harmonies. After graduating from Flandreau High School in 2006, he spent several years traveling and playing in various bands before returning to his hometown to plant roots and share his gifts with the community that had shaped him.

His home on the edge of town was often described as a “haven for creativity,” a rustic house filled with instruments, notebooks full of lyrics, and the constant presence of friends and fellow artists. Those close to him say that even as his local fame grew, Wilson remained remarkably humble—always quick to deflect praise and lift up others instead.

In recent years, Barn Flies had gained regional acclaim for their album Prairie Hymns, released in 2023, which earned accolades from the South Dakota Music Association and landed them a spot on South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s “Back Porch Sessions.” The duo was reportedly working on a second album, tentatively titled Wind & Wire, with plans to tour across the Midwest later this year.

All of those plans are now on hold as the community grieves and reflects on the indelible mark Casey left behind.

“He was the soul of this town,” said Mayor Julie Peterson. “We’ve lost a light that can never be replaced, but we are forever changed by his presence.”

In honor of Casey’s legacy, the Flandreau Arts Council has announced the establishment of the “Casey Wilson Memorial Music Fund,” which will support young musicians in the area with scholarships, instruments, and performance opportunities. Plans are also underway to host a community memorial concert at the Flandreau City Park amphitheater, where Casey played his last public show just two weeks ago.

Wilson is survived by his parents, Carl and Denise Wilson; his sister, Megan Wilson; and countless friends, fans, and loved ones whose lives he touched. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

As Flandreau mourns this unimaginable loss, the town echoes with Casey’s words from a song he often closed with:
“If I leave before the morning, sing my name into the sky. Keep the fire burning, keep the music alive.”

And in the hearts of those who knew him, that fire burns on.