The cause of death of Andrew Fletcher of Depeche Mode known

Depeche Mode keyboardist Andrew Fletcher has died of a heart condition.

The founding member of the band, who died prematurely at the age of 60 last month, died as a result of an aortic dissection, a tear in the main artery of the heart.

The English group itself announced the news on its website yesterday morning.

Depeche Mode also noted that they paid tribute to the fathers of two children who died last May.

The band marked the passing of their mate with “celebration of Andy’s life … a beautiful ceremony and gathering with a few tears, but filled with the great memories of who Andy was, stories of all of our times together, and some good laughs.”

Andrew Fletcher founded Depeche Mode alongside Vince Clarke, Martin Gore and Dave Gahan in Essex in 1980. The band has released 17 albums and sold 100 million records worldwide.