"We are all human, we all suffer, but help is out there": Alexi Laiho's legal widow shares moving message with official cause of death

Just over two months on from Alexi Laiho's tragic passing, the guitarist's legal widow Kimberly Goss has shared his official cause of death – as well as a moving message to others "struggling with these same demons".

Kimberly states that Alexi died from "alcohol-induced degeneration of the liver and pancreas connective tissue", with "a cocktail of painkillers, opioids and insomnia medication" in his system.

"The loss of this extraordinarily talented and beautiful soul is a tragedy that was entirely preventable," Kimberly writes on Instagram. "He had so many good years left in him. Imagine all the amazing music we could still be getting if he had just accepted help.

Read this: Alexi Laiho: The Wildchild who influenced a generation of metal guitarists

"I plead with anyone who is struggling with alcoholism or any other substance abuse problem, to please seek support. You do not have to meet this same fate. If people are trying to help you, remember that they are doing it out of love and concern, so please do not push them away. Please do not surround yourself with enablers who promote your addictions. Let this be a cautionary tale that no one is invincible.

"I do not want his death to be in vain. My hope is to eventually start a memorial foundation or charity in his native, Finland to help others struggling with these same demons. This needs to be an open conversation, not a source of shame. We are all human, we all suffer, but help is out there. If his story can save even one life, then something good can come out of this horrible loss we have all endured.

"Rest in peace, beloved Wildchild."

In the wake of Alexi's death, Bodom After Midnight announced a new EP containing some of his final recordings.

The guitarist extraordinaire’s post-Children Of Bodom group – completed by guitarist Daniel Freyberg, bassist Mitja Toivonen and drummer Waltteri Väyrynen – will be unveiling Paint The Sky With Blood on April 23 via Napalm Records, with the band revealing in a statement: "Like ourselves, Alexi was beyond stoked about these songs and anxious to get these out so we are happy that we can fulfil his wish.

"Needless to say that we are honoured and proud to be a part of his very last creative work and unleash it the way he wanted it to. It’s time to let the beast out of the cage one more time as a celebration of Alexi’s music, legacy and the man himself."

Read this: Every Children Of Bodom album ranked from worst to best by Alexi Laiho