Slipknot Bassist Died From 'Accidental OD'

Paul Gray, the bassist for Grammy Award-winning metallers Slipknot, died of an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl, a synthetic morphine substitute, a medical investigation has found. A toxicology report issued by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office also found that Gray suffered from "significant heart disease."

As previously reported on Spinner, Gray was found dead on May 25 in a hotel room near the band's hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Family members raised the alarm after Gray had been out of contact with them for several days.

Gray had struggled with drugs in the past and in 2003 was caught in possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He leaves behind a widow, Brenna, who is expecting the couple's first child.

Slipknot's popularity has increased over the years thanks in part to their outrageously violent stage performances, grotesque masks and the sheer power of their music. Their last album -- 2008's 'All Hope is Gone' -- topped the charts in the UK and Australia and gave the band their first domestic No. 1 album as well.