Des Moines, Iowa - (Ligatures): "Is the band's name a major clue to his sudden death?" bewildered fans asked today as the lifeless body of the 38 year-old Slipknot bassist was found in an Urbandale motel room.
According to preliminary reports the title soundtrack from the band's 2008 Number One album All Hope is Gone was playing in the background when the body was discovered.
An autopsy later today will answer morbid questions about whether the ex-Black Sabbath and Rainbow musician died the same way as Michael Hutchence and David Carradine.
"We're talking auto-erratic asphyxiation - maybe!" an Urbandale music source commented.
Gray had a hystery of drug abuse including a 2003 conviction for DUI when arrested in Des Moines for cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.
Known to fans as '#2' and 'The Pig' he was famous for the Mark of Zorro-like masks which he wore during performances.
Gray co-founded Slipknot in 1995 with drummer Joey Jordison and percussionist Shawn Crahan. Their debut album in 1996 Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat was a runaway best seller.
A pathology report later today will lay bare all the postmortem details.
