Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno’s cause of death has been officially confirmed after the singer passed away last month.
Di’Anno passed away aged 66. Credit: Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future/Getty
The singer, born Paul Andrews but also known by his stage name Paul Di’Anno, died at his home in England on October 21. He was 66.
Di’Anno’s record label, Conquest Music, confirmed the news of his death via a statement.
“On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di’Anno,” the company said at the time. “Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66.”
Di’Anno was the lead singer of the band for just over three years. Credit: Paul Natkin/Getty
“Despite being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain his fans around the world, racking up well over 100 shows since 2023,” the statement added.
Just a few weeks after the announcement, the star’s official cause of death has finally been revealed via a statement posted to his Facebook page.
“Dear friends and fans, we have received permission from Paul’s family to bring you the news of Paul’s cause of death, after the results of the autopsy have been received,” the statement alongside a photo of family and friends gathering read. “His sisters Cheryl and Michelle confirmed the following: ‘Basically he had a tear in the sac around the heart and blood has filled inside it from the main aorta artery and that has caused the heart to stop.'”
The statement went on to say that the singer’s death was “instantaneous and hopefully painless.”
“This weekend, an In Memoriam show was held at Underworld Camden, where many of Paul’s fans, friends, colleagues and family members came. With a magnificent musical set, his musical colleagues said a worthy farewell to their friend,” it added.
Have a look at the full post below:
Di’Anno was Iron Maiden’s lead vocalist between 1978 and 1981 until he was forced to leave the band due to his battle with drug addiction.
He was later replaced by the band’s current frontman, Bruce Dickinson.
Di’Anno was later replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Credit: Steve Eichner/Getty
Talking about the tragic news of the 66-year-old’s death, Dickinson told a crowd at a gig: “I don’t want to put a downer on the proceedings [but] our friend and band member Paul Di’Anno passed away as you are all probably aware.
“[He had] an amazing voice [and was] devoted to rock ’n’ roll right up till the last minute of his life,” he added.
Tragically, Di’Anno passed away one week after Iron Maiden – now made up of Di’Anno’s former bandmates Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain, Janick Gers, and of course, Dickinson – announced a 50th-anniversary tour, much to the delight of their fanbase.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Di’Anno’s loved ones during this difficult time.