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(CelebNMusic247-News) Deftones bassist Chi Cheng Dies at 42
Deftones founding member bassist Chi Cheng dies at 42.
Cheng suffered from a serious car accident in 2008 and had been struggling to recover from major injuries suffered in a vehicle accident more than four years ago.
The 42-year-old member of the Grammy-winning Deftones was in a coma for some time, but had recently shown some signs of improvement, upgrading to a semi-conscious state and being able to move his hands slightly. He was able to move home to continue recovery and therapy.
Cheng was taken to an emergency room about 3 a.m. Saturday, his mother, Jeanne Marie Cheng, wrote on the One Love for Chi website, when his heart stopped.
His family released this statement in regards to his passing:
Our dearest Family,This is the hardest thing to write to you. Your love and heart and devotion to Chi was unconditional and amazing. I know that you will always remember him as a giant of a man on stage with a heart for every one of you. He was taken to the emegency room and at 3 am today his heart just suddenly stopped. He left this world with me singing songs he liked in his ear.
He fought the good fight.You stood by him sending love daily. He knew that he was very loved and never alone. I will write more later. I will be going through the oneloveforchi and any other information may not be reliable. If you have any stories or messages to share please send them to the onelove site. Please hold Mae and Ming and the siblings and especially Chi’s son, Gabriel in your prayers. It is so hard to let go.
With great love and “Much Respect!” Mom J (and Chi)
Chi is a founding member of the band and has played on all of their albums, except the two most recent ones — 2010’s Diamond Eyes and 2012’s Koi No Yokan — because of his condition.
Rest in peace, Chi. Thank you for your music and all that you gave us as fans! You’ll be missed.
photo courtesy of MICHAEL ALLEN JONES/Bee file, 2005.
