Chi Cheng Dead: Deftones Bassist Passes Away at Age 42

Chi Cheng, the 42-year-old former bassist of Deftones, passed away today (April 13).

Cheng had been under constant medical care since 2008, when he was seriously injured in a car accident in which he was ejected from a vehicle that flipped several times.

Cheng underwent brain surgery and was left in a coma following the incident. He reportedly emerged from the coma at times, although he never regained full consciousness. His situation had improved as recently as February 2012, when he was reportedly in a partially conscious state, able to move certain portions of his body, even though he never fully regained speech or full command of his body.

Following his injury, the band staged several benefit concerts to help Chi's family stay on top of the mounting medical costs.

A member of the Deftones since 1988, Cheng watched the band rise to multi-Platinum status. His final album with the band is 2006's Saturday Night Wrist. Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega has been Cheng's replacement in the Deftones since Cheng's accident.

Cheng's mother has released the following statetement regarding 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 emergency room and at 3 a.m. 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.com 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)."

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