Syringe, pills found next to Slipknot's Paul Gray

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Sad details emerging in the death of Slipknot's Paul Gray
Sad details emerging in the death of Slipknot's Paul Gray (Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

When Slipknot bassist Paul Gray's body was found at the TownPlace Suites Hotel in Johnston, Iowa, a hotel worker told a 911 operator that there was a hypodermic needle next to the bed and "all kinds of pills everywhere."

According to the Associated Press, maintenance worker Mike Kellow told the operator Monday morning that he found the 38-year-old Gray's body slumped against a wall in a corner of his room.

"There's a hypodermic needle next to the bed here," Kellow said. The dispatcher then asked if Gray was awake.

"Oh God, no. He's all purple," Kellow said. The maintenance worker told the operator it seemed as though Gray had been "gone a while."

Police have said there was no evidence of foul play or trauma, and an autopsy was inconclusive as to the cause of death. Police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests, which could take up to six weeks.

Joe Bosso
Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.