Avicii died by suicide, his family has confirmed. In a statement issued by the DJ’s family, they said that he ‘could not go on any longer’ when he died on 20 April.
The statement, translated from Swedish, read: ‘Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An overachieving 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.’ According to a Swedish source speaking to Variety, the pre-translated speech ‘made the implication [of suicide] more overt’. The star, real name Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman, where he was holidaying with his friends.
Police confirmed that there was no criminal suspicion in his death. Avicii had suffered numerous health problems throughout his life, including acute pancreatitis, caused in part by his excessive drinking. In 2014, he had his appendix and gallbladder removed. The Levels hitmaker retired from touring in 2016 due to the toll it was taking on his health.