(Photo by Christie Goodwin/Redferns)

Joey Jordison, original drummer and founding member of the band Slipknot, has died at age 46 according to his family.

Details of Jordison’s death have not been disclosed, with the statement from his family only saying that Jordison passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 26th, 2021.

“Joey’s death has left us with empty hearts and feelings of indescribable sorrow,” the statement reads. “To those that knew Joey, understood his quick wit, his gentle personality, giant heart and his love for all things family and music.

“The family of Joey have asked that friends, fans and media understandably respect our need for privacy and peace at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement adds. “The family will hold a private funeral service and asks the media and public to respect their wishes.”

Jordison quickly became seen as one of the most talented drummers in the metal genre as Slipknot rose to prominence in the early 2000s. Jordison founded the band in in his native Iowa in 1995 along with percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray. Jordison says he was kicked out of the band in 2013, because his band members mistook a disease he was suffering from (transverse myelitis) for substance abuse.

It is unclear if this condition had anything to do with his death.