While no evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia was mentioned as being present in his hotel room, it is a slim possibility. The Des Moines Examiner reported that a drug overdose was the cause of death, but absent of an autopsy or any form of verification from a true authority it has to remain pure speculation.



There is no known genetic reason for Gray’s death which has been shared by anyone close to him which is making any speculation as to what happened even harder. Gray is survived by his wife Brenna Paul whom is pregnant with their child. Neither she nor anyone from his record label has commented.



Gray was a founding member of Slipknot dating back to 1995. While Slipknot won a Grammy in 2006 for Best Metal Performance for their song “Before I Forget”, they are best known by many for wearing hideously disfigured masks on stage and affectionately calling their fans maggots. Slipknot broke ground in metal in many regards, not just for being a 9 person band and taking theatrics in a different more graphic direction than predecessors, but for displaying some real musical chops that proved they did have musical talent and were more than a simple gimmick band.



Slipknot has not released an album since 2008, “All Hope is Gone:, which debuted at number one and is expected to go platinum shortly to match their first three releases. Slipknot was primarily known for their live performances which delivered far more than any studio recording could. Surviving band mates have not commented on any future plans for the band or on Gray at this point.