On 20th April the death was announced of American DJ and singer Tim Bergle, better known as Avicii at the age of 28. At the time the cause of death was unknown even though it was common knowledge amongst his close friends and family that he struggled with depression and substance abuse. His family released a statement immediately after his death, detailing his state of mind in his last days.
“Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress. When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music. He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness.  He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace. Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight. Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive. We love you, Your family.”
Concerning the actual cause of his death, multiple sources close to the deceased indicated that he took his own life, something his parents confirmed last week. According to TMZ’s sources, the “Wake Me Up” hitmaker deliberately broke a bottle of wine and used a shard of the glass to inflict a fatal wound on himself, causing him to lose a lot of blood and pass away. He was found dead in the Middle Eastern country of Oman. According to his close associated, he battled with alcoholism for years and suffered from pancreatis.
Avicii retired from live performance in 2016, citing health issues but was scheduled to release more music this year. It is really heartbreaking how such talented people have to battle so many demons even as they bring joy and relief to the rest of the world. We hope he finds his answers and is finally able to find the peace he so longed for.