Guitarist Ronnie Montrose's Death Ruled a Suicide

San Mateo County Coroner determined that the legendary artist, who had been suffering from prostate cancer, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last month; he was 64

Legendary guitarist Ronnie Montrose did indeed commit suicide last month.

According to the San Mateo County Coroner, the musician, who most famously fronted an eponymous group in the 1970s that featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was 64 at the time of his passing on March 4.

"By now, the devastating truth of Ronnie's death is public knowledge," reads a statement posted on Montrose's website by his family. "We hope you can understand why we wanted to keep this news a private family matter for as long as possible. We can only hope that you will choose to celebrate Ronnie's life, and what his music meant to you, rather than his passing. Ronnie would have wanted it that way."

Montrose, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, also worked with the likes of Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and Herbie Hancock.