Deftones bassist Chi Cheng dies at 42

Chi Cheng, bassist and founding member of Deftones, has passed away after a long battle to recover from a car accident in 2008.

Cheng suffered major injuries following the crash, emerging from a coma in 2009 and fighting to gain use of his body since.

A statement on the musician’s fansite reads:

“Our dearest Family, This is the hardest thing to write to you. Your love and heart and devotion to Chi was unconditional and amazing. I know that you will always remember him as a giant of a man on stage with a heart for every one of you. He was taken to the emergency room and at 3 am today his heart just suddenly stopped. He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear. He fought the good fight. You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone.”

Our thoughts are with Cheng’s family and friends at this time.