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Duncan Sheik, singer and Tony-winning Broadway composer, dies at age 56

His family announced he passed away Thursday, with his mother citing organ failure or cardiac arrest.

The short version

  • Duncan Sheik, the musician known for 'Barely Breathing' and Broadway's 'Spring Awakening', has died at age 56.[CBS News]
  • His family announced he died on Thursday surrounded by love after receiving medical care while in critical condition.[CBS News]
  • Accounts of his specific cause of death vary, with his mother cited as attributing it to cardiac arrest or organ failure.[Billboard · CBS News]

Key facts

  • Singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik died at age 56 on Thursday surrounded by love.[CBS News]
  • Prior to his death, Sheik's family announced he was in critical but stable condition while receiving medical care.[CBS News]
  • Sheik's mother Suzanne Sheik cited organ failure as his cause of death, according to one report.[Billboard]
  • Sheik's mother told The New York Times his cause of death was cardiac arrest, according to CBS News.[CBS News]
  • Sheik gained pop fame with the 1996 hit single 'Barely Breathing'.[CBS News]
  • 'Spring Awakening' opened on Broadway in 2007 and captured eight Tony Awards, including best musical.[CBS News]

What remains uncertain

  • Reports differ on whether his mother cited cardiac arrest or organ failure as the precise cause of death.[Billboard · CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.