The cause of death for Duncan Sheik has been revealed. The "Barely Breathing" singer died on Thursday, Sep. 17, in Manhattan. He was 56.
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What Was the Cause of Death for Duncan Sheik?
The singer's mother, Suzanne Sheik, shared Duncan's cause of death with The New York Times. She said it was heart failure leading to cardiac arrest.
His death comes after Duncan's family revealed in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Sep. 16, that he had been hospitalized and in "critical but stable" condition.
Over the past several weeks, Duncan took selfies from the hospital. In a post dated Aug. 20, he wrote, "I would prefer to be home making music. But a bit of reflection is not too bad ... boring hospital stays have their benefits (outside the obvious)."
The Singer Found Fame On Radio and Broadway
In addition to his 1996 hit "Barely Breathing," Duncan released several well-received albums through the 1990s and 2000s, but they never reached the heights of his debut.
But all that changed with the opening of Spring Awakening. Debuting on Broadway in 2006, Duncan wrote the rock score for the musical about teenagers navigating the turmoil of their sexuality. Starring future stars Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff, it went on to win numerous Tony Awards. It also won a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
As a spokesperson for Duncan said on Friday, "From his Grammy-nominated hit 'Barely Breathing' to his groundbreaking, Tony and Grammy Award-winning work on Spring Awakening, Duncan's artistry touched many and leaves an indelible mark on the cultural landscape."
They then added, "Duncan was a father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He will be remembered for his sensitivity, wit, intelligence, and depth of spirit he brought to those who knew and loved him. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love from his fans, friends, collaborators, and the artistic community. His musical legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."
Duncan also wrote the music and lyrics for the theatrical adaptation of the grisly novel American Psycho, which premiered in London in 2013. His latest work, an adaptation of the manga Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, is set to premiere Off-Broadway on Sep. 25. His last solo album, Claptrap, came out in 2022.
Duncan is survived by his wife, Nora Ariffin, and his daughter Ines.
