Chi Cheng, Deftones Bassist, Dies at 42

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng, who has been hospitalized since a devastating car accident in 2008, has passed on at the age of 42.

Reports are rolling in that Cheng passed in a hospital at 3am after his heart suddenly stopped. Chi had an uphill battle ever since the injuries he sustained in a car accident on November 4th 2008, where his car flipped three times after hitting another car going 60 mph.

Cheng was left in a coma and had several close calls, but, gradually, his condition improved over the years. In 2010, news of improvement in his condition had fans and friends hopeful that Chi was going to pull through and recover. Unfortunately, that was not the way things went and Chi passed on early this morning. The following statement was posted on Chi's official fundraiser website:

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 [sic] 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)

 

Chi played bass for Deftones since shortly after their start in 1988 and played on every album prior to his 2008 accident. In a move that had to be terribly difficult, the band eventually picked up bassist Sergio Vega so they could move forward with their music and have since released 2010's 'Diamond Eyes' and 2012's 'Koi No Yokan.'