Children of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho: Cause of Death Revealed
Alexi Laiho died of “alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue” and “had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system” at the time of his death, according to his first wife, Kimberly Goss.
Goss was married to Laiho from 2002 – 2004, and reportedly remained on good terms with the guitarist/singer even after they split. They were also both members of the band Sinergy, which released three albums between 1999 and 2002.
The Children of Bodom frontman died on December 29 at his home in Helsinki, Finland, although news of his death wasn’t made public until January 4. He was 41 years old.
Goss revealed the cause of Laiho’s death in a lengthy social media post shared late Thursday, March 4:
“This morning I received the final forensic report with the official cause of Alexi’s passing. As his legal widow, I am privy to this information. The certificate reads in Finnish, ‘Alkoholin aiheuttama maksan rasvarappeutuminen ja haiman sidekudostuminen’. The English translation is, ‘Alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue’. Furthermore, he had a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication in his system.
“The loss of this extraordinarily talented and beautiful soul is a tragedy that was entirely preventable. He had so many good years left in him. Imagine all the amazing music we could still be getting if he had just accepted help. I plead with anyone who is struggling with alcoholism or any other substance abuse problem, to please seek support. You do not have to meet this same fate. If people are trying to help you, remember that they are doing it out of love and concern, so please do not push them away. Please do not surround yourself with enablers who promote your addictions. Let this be a cautionary tale that no one is invincible.
“I do not want his death to be in vain. My hope is to eventually start a memorial foundation or charity in his native, Finland to help others struggling with these same demons. This needs to be an open conversation, not a source of shame. We are all human, we all suffer, but help is out there. If his story can save even ONE life, then something good can come out of this horrible loss we have all endured.
“Rest in peace, beloved Wildchild”
Laiho’s final recording was a fourteen-minute, three-song EP with his post-Children of Bodom project, Bodom After Midnight. That EP, Paint the Sky with Blood, is scheduled for release on April 23 via Napalm Records.
On February 4, Laiho’s widow, Kelli Wright-Laiho, shared photos of the private funeral service held in Alexi’s honor on January 28. You can view those here.
