Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous commits suicide

Singer, songwriter, musician Mark Linkous has committed suicide.

Rolling Stone reports that Linkous, whose exact age is unknown but was presumed to be in his 40s, took his own life.



"It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today," reads his family's statement. "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."

Linkous is probably best known for his work with the band Sparklehorse, that released four albums of what RS calls "imaginative ambient psych-folk."

In 1996, Linkous actually died for two minutes after taking Valium and antidepressants while on tour in the U.K. He recovered, but was left crippled because he had been unconscious for 14 hours on the floor in such a way that he cut off circulation to his legs. He suffered a heart attack when medics attempted to straighten his legs, and later underwent seven surgeries to save his limbs.

Despite health issues, he continued to record, producing "Good Morning Spider," "It's A Wonderful Life "and 2006's "Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain." But he battled depression and substance abuse and his emotional state revealed itself in such songs as "Heart of Darkness," "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "Sick of Goodbyes."

Linkous had teamed up with Dangermouse and director David Lynch on "Dark Night of the Soul," a multimedia project (held up by legal issues with EMI) that will be out soon. It features art by Lynch, and musical cameos by Iggy Pop, Black Francis, the Flaming Lips and Julian Casablancas.

RIP, Mark.