[Archive 2010-05-25] Slipknot bassist Paul Gray found dead in hotel room at age 38

Historical archive — originally published 2010-05-25. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

Paul Gray, American musician and bassist of the heavy metal band Slipknot, has been found dead in his hotel room in Iowa. His body was found at around 10:50 Monday morning by a hotel employee. Police investigating the death said that no foul play was suspected.

Gray started with Slipknot when it formed in 1995. They released, in 1996, their first album, which sold over a million copies worldwide. The group has received seven Grammy award nominations and won one in 2006 for “Best Metal Performance” with "Before I Forget". Slipknot became very popular and famous for its artistic live performances and the iconic masks that all band members wore in public. Gray was known by his fans by either his band number #2 or his nickname “The Pig”. Along with drummers Joey Jordison and Shawn Crahan, Gray was one of only three original members of Slipknot that still remained in the band.

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