Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson has been found dead, aged 48, in an apparent suicide.

Marin County Police in California said he was pronounced dead at his home shortly after officials responded to an emergency call around noon local time. His publicist said he had been “battling severe depression”.

The local Sheriff’s office said Manson was found unconscious and not breathing at his home near Tiburon, north of San Francisco.

“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made,” police said in a statement.

In a statement, family members say they are “utterly heartbroken” and asked that he be remembered for the creativity he brought to the music world.

In a recent interview just last week, Manson had voiced his views on suicide stating:

“I’ve always frowned upon the idea of suicide. Not to be disparaging but I think it affects too many other people. I’m not saying that about Cornell or Bennington, just to be clear.

I’ve never tried to kill myself because I’d be great at it. I’ve even put in my will that when I die, which will probably be never, I want my funeral to be loaded with dynamite and to explode so everyone there dies.”