Swedish DJ Avicii dies at 28

UPDATE: Three days after his death, the family of Swedish DJ Tim Bergling, a.k.a. Avicii, who was found dead Friday in Oman, has issued a new statement expressing gratitude to fans for the tributes.

We would like to thank you for the support and the loving words about our son and brother. We are so grateful for everyone who loved Tim’s music and have precious memories of his songs.

Thank you for all the initiatives taken to honor Tim, with public gatherings, church bells ringing out his music, tributes at Coachella and moments of silence around the world.

We are grateful for the privacy during this difficult time. Our wish is that it continues that way.

With love,

The Tim Bergling Family

EARLIER: Avicii, the Swedish DJ behind hits including “Wake Me Up!” “Levels,” and “You Make Me,” died at age 28 on Friday. His publicist confirmed the news in a statement to Billboard.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii. He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”

Avicii announced his retirement from touring in 2016, citing a cross-country road trip with friends that made him change his perspective on his life and music career. “My choices and career have never been driven by material things,” he wrote at the time. “Although I’m grateful for all the opportunities and comforts my success has availed me. I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist.”

Avicii had suffered from health problems in the past. In January 2012, he was hospitalized for 11 days with acute pancreatitis, reportedly due to heavy drinking. In 2014, he had his gallbladder and appendix removed, forcing him to cancel tour dates. The after-effects could be seen in a documentary, Avicii: True Stories. “It was hard,” he told Rolling Stone in 2017, about having to rewatch the pain he went through post-surgery on film, along with the arguments he had with promoters who wanted him to keep touring. “I looked at myself like, ‘F–k, you should’ve really stood up for yourself more there. Come on, Tim!’ Why didn’t I stop the ship earlier?”

Despite slowing down his tour schedule, Avicii would continue releasing music, including his most recent EP, Avīci (01), which hit number three on the Billboard Electronic Albums chart and featured tracks with AlunaGeorge and Rita Ora.