King wrote in a Facebook message earlier today: "I just found out that I lost one of my dearest friends, who has been fighting cancer for a long time, in such an incredibly brave way. He was not just my roommate on the early MERCYFUL FATE tours, but he was always my favorite bass player of all times. I was fortunate to have been able to visit him at his apartment with some other good friends, and we had a great afternoon that will never be forgotten.

 

"When I last talked to Timi on the phone on October 24th, I could understand that things had gotten tougher than they ever were, and yet he said 'we fight on.'

 

 

"Rest in Peace my dear dear friend."

 

Hansen went public with his diagnosis in early August after it was announced that he wouldn't participate in MERCYFUL FATE's 2020 reunion. Filling in for him will be ARMORED SAINT and FATES WARNING bassist Joey Vera.

 

On August 1, Timi released a statement via the Facebook page of Livia Zita-Bendix, wife of King Diamond, saying: "There are many questions about why I won't appear as part of the MERCYFUL FATE reunion in 2020. The honest explanation is simply that I am currently fighting a fight against cancer. But believe me, I will fight everything I can to be ready.

 

"It's my big dream to be on stage again playing the old MERCYFUL FATE numbers in front of all of you very loyal fans. If this wasn't going to happen, I'd like to ask you to take good care of Joey Vera. I totally agree with King that he is a perfect 'stand-in,' so take good care of him."

 

The 61-year-old Hansen played in MERCYFUL FATE from 1981 to 1985 and again from 1992 to 1993. He was also a member of KING DIAMOND from 1985 to 1987.

 

MERCYFUL FATE will reunite for an unspecified number of concerts throughout Europe during the summer of 2020, including next year's edition of the Copenhell festival, set to take place June 17-20, 2020 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

MERCYFUL FATE's lineup for the shows will consist of Vera, King Diamond, Hank Shermann on guitar, Bjarne T. Holm on drums, and Mike Wead on guitar.

 

MERCYFUL FATE's last studio album, "9", was released in 1999.