The original bassist for Deftones, Chi Cheng, who had been in a semi-comatose state for nearly half a decade after being seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008, has passed away over the weekend at 42 years of age.

Cheng, who was being cared for by his family, was rushed to an emergency room early on Saturday 13th April when he died after his heart gave out. Cheng had been relocated in and out of hospitals for various infections while his family attempted to foot the growing bills of intensive care after the bassist had lost his health insurance a few months following his tragic 2008 accident.

Cheng’s mother, who had been maintaining the charity and update website Oneloveforchi.com, issued a statement regarding her son’s death:

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 emegency room and at 3 a.m. 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. I will write more later.

I will be going through the Oneloveforchi.com and any other information may not be reliable. If you have any stories or messages to share, please send them to the Onelove site. Please hold Mae and Ming and the siblings, and especially Chi’s son,Gabriel, in your prayers. It is so hard to let go.

With great love and much respect, Mom J (and Chi).”

Over the last several years, Cheng had emerged from his comatose state at brief intervals, but could not communicate verbally. His many operations included having surgery post-accident hat required the removal of part of his brain, though he recovered enough to be taken off life support several months later.

Deftones had continued to support Cheng through the Oneloveforchi charity, hosting many benefit concerts and donating money from their tour’s to his family’s medical costs. Cheng’s role was filled by Sergio Vega, who stepped in as touring replacement for Cheng following his 2008 incident, but became a full-time member of the band come 2010 album Diamond Eyes, and also had writing credits on last year’s Koi No Yokan.

Chi Cheng’s death has struck a chord with the musc industry with many tributes for the fallen bassist pouring in from friends and fellow musicians alike.

Deftones are headed to Australia for a tour this May, full dates and details here.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine