Rock drummer Ben Graves has passed away after an 11 month battle with cancer. He was 46. A very private person, Ben kept his struggles quiet over the last year, according  to a post to his Facebook account, made by his fiancee Lydia. A powerhouse drummer, especially live, Graves lived out his dream of being in successful bands and touring all over the world in his stints with The Murderdolls, Dope and Pretty Boy Floyd. Wednesday 13, who played with graves in The Murderdolls mourned his passing in a post you can read below.

Official Statement

A message from Ben’s fiancé, Lydia.

This is incredibly hard for me to write this, but I know it is necessary because Ben has so many friends and fans.

Most of you don’t know that Ben has been battling cancer for the last 11 months. It was his decision to keep his health very quiet.

Ben passed away today, May 9th 2018, from complications due to his cancer. His diagnosis was grim but he fought a long and hard battle to try and beat it and overcome the odds. Some battles can’t be won no matter how hard you try.

Please respect me, his family and close friends while we grieve. Even though we knew it was eventually coming, the complication was sudden and very unexpected.

It’s devastating to lose someone you love more than yourself. My heart is broken, my heart died with him.

We will be taking him home to Massachusetts. I will organize a memorial for Ben’s LA friends, details to follow.

Post some photos of Ben for us to see him as he was.

?Lydia