Jill Janus, frontwoman for heavy metal band Huntress, died Tuesday near Portland, Oregon. She was 43.
In a statement, her family confirmed Janus took her own life. They described her as “a long-time sufferer of mental illness.”
“Beyond her accomplishments in the music world and her advocacy for mental health issues, she was a beautiful person passionate about her family, animal rescue and the world of natural medicine,” the statement read. “She will be missed more than she could have ever known.”
Huntress, formed in 2009, recorded three albums and opened for acts like Motörhead and Lamb of God. Janus also performed in hard rock cover bands The Starbreakers and Chelsea Girls and collaborated with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Angus Clark on a rock opera.
In a 2015 interview with Revolver, Janus opened up about being diagnosed with bipolar disease at the age of 20.
Her longtime partner, Huntress bandmate Blake Meahl, shared an emotional message on Facebook: “The devastation of knowing I will never see her again is the most gutting emotion i have ever experienced.
"Baby, I hope you have found the peace that you couldn't find on this planet. I miss you so much and will always carry a piece of you in my heart.”
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