The founding drummer of the American heavy metal band Slipknot, Joey Jordison, died on Monday at the age of 46. According to US media reports, a family representative confirmed the news of his death.  

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow. To those that knew Joey, understood his quick wit, his gentle personality, giant heart, and his love for all things family and music. The family of Joey have asked that friends, fans, and media understandably respect our need for privacy and peace at this incredibly difficult time,” the family statement said, according to a Rolling Stone report.

Fans of the iconic band and music lovers across the globe united to mourn his death on social media platforms. 

However, many were left questioning the cause of his death following the tragic news. However, neither the family’s statement nor any media reports have specified what Joe Jordison died from.

Although no reason for death is specified, in 2013, Jordison left the band due to what he described at the time as personal reasons. It was later revealed by him that he had left the band due to a neurological disease.

Later, at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in 2016, “I got really, really sick with a horrible disease called transverse myelitis, I lost my legs. I could not play anymore. It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I would not wish on my worst enemy. I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym and I got myself back in therapy, to beat this shit.”

Multiple sclerosis is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. In this disease, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibres and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.