Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous Takes His Own Life

Reclusive indie/alt-rock star commits suicide in Tennessee Saturday

By Megan Masters Mar 07, 2010 10:04 PMTags
Mark Linkous, Sparklehorse Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Reclusive indie-rock mastermind Mark Linkous committed suicide Saturday.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life," reads a statement on his band Sparklehorse's website. "We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There's a heaven and there's a star for you."

His manager tells the New York Times that Linkous, 47, shot himself in the heart outside of a friend's home in Knoxville, Tenn., and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Linkous nearly died in 1996 following an overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. He was confined to a wheelchair for nearly six months following the incident, but ultimately recovered.

The multi-instrumentalist was basically a one-man band as Sparklehorse, releasing four albums between 1995 and 2006, frequently in collaboration with Scott Minor.

Most recently he teamed with Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse and filmmaker David Lynch on Dark Night of the Soul, which they announced last week will finally be released this summer after a long legal battle with label EMI.

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If you or someone you know suffers from depression, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).