Weezer bassist 'predicts own death' on Twitter

Former Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh died of a suspected drug overdose on Saturday – two weeks after ‘predicting’ the time and place of his demise on Twitter.

Welsh, who died at the age of 40, was found by staff in the Raffaello Hotel, Chicago after failing to check out of his room. He was found unconscious and not breathing, later being pronounced dead at the scene.

Though the cause of death is not yet known, it has been speculated that the post was a forewarning of a suicide attempt - following a similar attempt in 2001.

Toxicology tests run during a Sunday autopsy will indicate if there were any contributing factors to Welsh's death. Authorities have said that the tests could take up to six weeks.

Welsh tweeted on 26 September: “Dreamt I died in Chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). Need to write my will today.” He later added, “correction- the weekend after next”. The musician turned artist later promoted one of his works on Facebook, writing: “If I am still alive at the time of purchase price to rise exponentially if I expire prematurely.”

“It saddens me and the guys in Weezer so much to say that our beautiful, creative, hilarious and sweet friend Mikey Welsh has passed away at the very young age of 40,” read a statement on Weezer’s website. “A unique talent, deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him.”

Welsh joined Weezer in 1998 after the departure of original bassist Matt Sharp. He left three years later after suffering from a mental breakdown, moving to Vermont to pursue a second career as an artist.