ALICE IN CHAINS have issued the following brief statement regarding the death of former bassist Mike Starr who died at the age of 44 in his Salt Lake City, Utah home earlier yesterday afternoon (March 8th) atВ 9:42 PM CETВ (1:42 PM local time).

"Jerry (Cantrell) and Sean (Kinney) are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy - and the privacy of the Starr family - during this difficult time. Their thoughts and prayers are with the Starr family."

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, police do not suspect foul play in the death of Starr.

The medical examiner's office will likely conduct an autopsy today says Reuters, but the results of toxicology tests could take up to two months.