Shawn Crahan, the percussionist and co-founder of American heavy metal band Slipknot, has announced the death of his 22-year-old daughter Gabrielle.
The 49-year-old posted a message to the band's Twitter and on his personal Instagram: "It is with a broken heart, and from a place of the deepest pain, that I have to inform all of you that my youngest daughter, Gabrielle, passed away yesterday - Saturday May 18th, 2019."
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Gabrielle posted a photo to her Instagram last week, celebrating five months of sobriety just three days before her death. The post, captioned '5 MONTHS', showed an Alcoholics Anonymous coin as a token of her abstinence from alcohol.
Despite Crahan's request for privacy at this time, social media speculation was rife within minutes of the announcement.
Public speculation over the cause of Gabrielle's death resulted in her sister, Alexandria, posting on Instagram: "She died YESTERDAY, STOP SPECULATING, STOP WITH THE ASSUMPTIONS. If you're going to be negative leave my family alone."
Gabrielle's brother Simon posted a heartbreaking tribute to his sister on Instagram.
"Today is the hardest day ever, I’m confused, I’m angry... and I’m just sad just really sad. Gabri I miss you so much I miss you like no other we were best friends we had a good bond and now your not here anymore. I love you Gabri and I know you’ll know that forever."
Alexandria asked her followers to send out good energy to her parents and brothers.
"I am in shock and have no idea how to process the wave of emotions I am experiencing. The comforts I have in these moments are my family, friends, and cats.
"This loss leaves the biggest hole... 22 is too young to die."
Known as 'Clown' or '#6', Crahan is the remaining founding member of the group, who formed in Iowa in 1993. They performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, and have recently released the single 'Unsainted'. The band's upcoming album, We Are Not Your Kind, is set to be released on August 9.
Gabrielle leaves behind her father and mother, Chantel Crahan, her sister Alexandria and her two brothers Gage and Simon.
The cause of her death has not been revealed.
Newshub.
