Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous Commits Suicide

Singer-songwriter Mark Linkous, leader of the indie rock band Sparklehorse, committed suicide over the weekend, his family said. He was 47.

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"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," Linkous' family said on Sparklehorse's site.

Linkous died Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn., after he shot himself in the heart in an alley outside a friend's home, manager Shelby Meade told The New York Times.

The multi-instrumentalist was also known for his collaborations with P.J. Harvey and Tom Waits. His recent work with director David Lynch and Danger Mouse will be seen in the forthcoming album Dark Night of Soul.

Linkous had also recently completed his most of his work for the new Sparklehorse album and was moving to Knoxville and setting up a new studio to complete the album, Meade told the Times.

His survivors include wife Teresa Linkous; his mother, Gloria Hughes Thacker; his father, Frederick Linkous; and three brothers.