Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher has just turned 60. Accordingly, the news of his death caused international horror. Now his former bandmates have announced the cause of death – at the express request of the family.
On May 26, Andy Fletcher, keyboardist and founding member of Depeche Mode, died unexpectedly at the age of 60. About a month later, singer Dave Gahan and band mastermind Martin Gore announced the cause of death of their longtime colleague and friend on social media.
“A few weeks ago we received the result of the medical examination. Andy’s family asked us to let you know. Andy suffered an aortic dissection at home on May 26,” says the statement published on Instagram, among other things.
An aortic dissection is a tear in the main artery that allows blood to leak into and split the wall of the artery. The most common causes include hypertension, atherosclerosis and congenital diseases of the connective tissue. If the aortic dissection occurs acutely, it is life-threatening and often leads to death.
In their statement, the remaining musicians of Depeche Mode emphasize: “Although it was much, much too soon, he died naturally and without long suffering.” Gore and Gahan also reported on Fletcher’s funeral, which took place in London last week. “It was a beautiful ceremony and meeting with a few tears but also great memories of Andy, stories of our times together and some good laughs,” they wrote alongside a photo of Fletcher.
After all, the two Brits reveal so much about the location and size of the event: “Andy was celebrated in a room that was full of many of his friends and family, our immediate DM family and so many people who know Andy’s and our lives about the have touched for years.” “It was a very special way to remember and say goodbye to Fletcher,” Gahan and Gore said.
The two musicians would like to thank Fletcher, his family and his friends for “all the love” in the past few weeks. “It really means a lot to all of us.”
They close the post with personal words to the deceased: “We will miss you, but we will certainly not forget you. With love, Martin
