Mark Linkous, best known for his work as Sparklehorse, has committed suicide. Rolling Stone has confirmed rumours of his passing by publishing a note from Linkous' family.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and family member, Mark Linkous, took his own life today. We are thankful for his time with us and will hold him forever in our hearts. May his journey be peaceful, happy and free. There’s a heaven and there’s a star for you.”

The statement was passed on by Linkous' publicist.

Linkous' recent work beyond Sparklehorse has been celebrated on TheVine. We listed his Dark Night of the Soul collaboration with Danger Mouse as one of the best of '09. And just days ago we reported that its legal release was imminent (it was circulated freely online after contract hurdles seemed insurmountable).

Linkous has been very busy in recent times. He also released an experimental collaboration with Austrian guitarist Fennesz last year, as part of the In the Fishtank series. And it is said that he was close to finishing his next Sparklehorse LP at the time of his death.

Linkous' Sparklehorse project was critically successful and made him widely respected by fellow artists. He worked with PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, Daniel Johnston and Nina Persson. The latter famously called Sparklehorse "the best I've ever heard." Sparklehorse toured Australia a number of times, including as part of the Big Day Out.