Former drummer of US heavy metal band Slipknot, Joey Jordison, has died at the age of 46.
Jordison's family said he passed away peacefully in his sleep. Their statement did not provide any further detail.
Jordison was one of Slipknot's founding members in 1995 along with percussionist Shawn Cruhan and bassist Paul Gray.
The band released a successful debut album four years later and have sold millions of albums globally.
"Joey's death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow," the Jordison family said in statement.
Jordison remained a part of Slipknot until 2013. He later revealed that he left after being diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a form of multiple sclerosis.
Slipknot became one of the most popular bands in the US while he was still in the band, rising to number 1 on the Billboard 200 for the 2008 song "All Hope is Gone."
Jordison also played guitar for the punk band Murderdolls, as well as drums for metal groups Scar the Martyr and Sinsaenum.
His death comes just over 10 years after that of fellow founding member Paul Gray, who died of a drug overdose in 2010.
