SWEDISH SUPERSTAR AVICII, one of the world’s most successful DJs who died a week ago aged 28, “wanted peace” and “could not go on any longer”, his family said in an open letter today.

The musician, whose real name was Tim Bergling, was found dead on 20 April in Muscat, the capital of the Gulf sultanate Oman, where he had been on holiday with friends.

“He really struggled with thoughts about meaning, life, happiness,” his family wrote in the letter, seen by AFP.

“He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace,” they added.

A spokeswoman for the artist declined to confirm whether he had died by suicide.

A police source in Oman said his death was not considered to be suspicious, adding that the circumstances would remain confidential at the request of the family.

He had made no secret of his health problems, including pancreatitis, triggered in part by excessive drinking linked to his party lifestyle.

“Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight,” his family said.

Avicii’s retirement

In 2016, Avicii stunned fans by announcing his retirement when he was just 26, saying that he wanted to leave the high-flying electronic music lifestyle.

“When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music,” his family said.

His biggest hits included Wake Me Up, which went to number one across Europe in 2013 and featured the soul singer Aloe Blacc.

Avicii – who for years was one of the world’s most lucrative electronic musicians – in 2016 made number 12 on the list of top-paid DJs of Forbes magazine, which said he earned $14.5 million (€11.9 million) in the previous year.

“Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions,” his family said.

Avicii was among the first DJs to break through into the mainstream as electronic dance music grew over the past decade from nightclubs to Top 40 radio.

“An over-achieving perfectionist who travelled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress,” his family said.

If you need to talk, please contact:

• Samaritans 116 123 or text 087 2 60 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.ie
• Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
• Pieta House 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie (suicide, self-harm)
• Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
• Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)  

- © AFP 2018