Deftones lead singer Chino Moreno has posted on his Facebook page of the passing of their bassist Chi Cheng, age 42.
Chi, who was seriously injured in a car accident in California in November 2008, had never fully recovered and remained in a semi-coma for well over 4 years.
By 2010, the then 40 year old was showing signs of improvement and had entered rehabilitation and underwent numerous surgeries. Remaining with partial movement, and unable to speak properly, he was finally released into the care of his family in June 2012. Unfortunately not long after he was rushed back to intensive care suffering pneumonia and remained in hospital for another month.
Many tributes and benefit concerts had been held over the years to raise funds for his family and medical expenses for the Chi Ling Cheng Special Needs Trust and the website oneloveforchi.com was founded to keep fans up to date on his progress and raise further funds.
His family released the following statement on the website earlier today. The website has not been accessible since news of his death was announced.
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 emegency room and at 3 am 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 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)
