The music world was left stunned by the death of DJ Avicii at the age of just 28.
The Swedish hitmaker and music producer, real name Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman, his publicist confirmed.
No cause of death was given and his representatives said no further statements would be released.
Avicii had become one of the most highly respected - and highest-paid - dance music artists in the world, selling millions of records and earning Grammy Award nominations.
But while he enjoyed fame, he also suffered away from the limelight. His career was cut short at its prime, with the star blighted by debilitating health conditions that left him unable to peform.
The Mirror reported that he secretly endured multiple hospitalisations and suffered with acute pancreatitis, caused in part due to excessive drinking.
A year after being nominated for his second consecutive GRAMMY award in 2014, the Levels producer underwent two operations to remove his gallbladder and appendix - but suffered further illness relating to his surgeries.
He had been due to appear at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami later that year but had to pull out at the last minute when he was rushed to hospital again with severe abdominal pains, nausea and a fever.
After a comeback in 2015 that saw him release album Stories, Avicii stunned fans by announcing plans to quit live performing months later - in the midst of huge success around the world.
He broke the news via a statement to his official website, citing he felt he had lost sense of who he really was through the pressures of touring.
"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," he said.
Adding: "I will however never let go of music - I will continue to speak to my fans through it, but I’ve decided this 2016 run will be my last tour and last shows."
However, he left hopes of a return at the end of his statement.
"One part of me can never say never, I could be back... but I won't be right back."
Months later Avicii gave an interview to Rolling Stone magazine and said he couldn't even watch his friends perform on stage any more.
"I'm still trumatised. But i'm sure I will [enjoy watching gigs] again. I've started being able to listen to music again, getting a little bit of that joy back," he said.
"It's very easy to become attached to partying. You become lonely and get anxieties. It becomes toxic," he added.
News of Avicii's death at the age of 28 was confirmed on Friday.
In a statement his publicist said: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii.
“The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time.”
