The punk frontman had been battling stage four cancer, announcing in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. While seeking support from fans, Johansen also faced multiple complications—including breaking his back in two places.
The announcement of the punk icon’s death was seemingly first confirmed by former Smiths frontman Morrissey, who had posted on his website that he had passed away, sparking a run of tributes before Johansen’s family communicated the news. While details regarding the singer’s death remain scarce, Johansen’s health issues had left him incapacitated for the past few years.
After breaking his back, Johansen had been “bedridden and incapacitated” and required constant care for his ailments. In a press release, Johansen asked his fans to provide him with financial help for his medical bills, saying, “We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends and family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation. This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this is an emergency.”
