Swedish DJ Avicii Dead at 28

Avicii, the famed Swedish DJ best known for 2013 smash-hit “Levels,” died on Friday at the age of 28.

The DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman, his publicist said.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” his rep said in a statement. “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 had long struggled with the tolls of touring and heavy drinking had been a problem for his health. He retied from music at the age of 26, at the peak of his career, and he walked “away from outrageously lucrative performance deals,” Vice reported at the time. “Five years of touring and heavy drinking had already put the Swedish star in hospital twice.”

Vice wrote in 2016:

The announcement that he’s done touring can be seen as the comedown of a million Red Bull and vodkas, years of shows and naps on planes, festivals, studio sessions, photoshoots, and afterparties—and more naps on more planes on the way to more shows. In 2012, he was hospitalized due to a form of pancreatitis associated with alcohol abuse. In March of 2014, his constant partying and touring had left him with a burst appendix and gallbladder issues so severe that he had to have his gallbladder removed.

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