SLIPKNOT Holds News Conference To Address Passing Of Bassist PAUL GRAY

The eight surviving members of SLIPKNOT just held a news conference at Wells Fargo Arena in the band's native stomping grounds of Des Moines, Iowa to address the death of their bassist, Paul Gray. Also present at the event was Gray's brother Tony and widow Brenna, who spoke briefly at the end of the conference.

"He was everything that was wonderful about this band and about this group of people," frontman Corey Taylor said. "The only way I can sum up Paul Gray is 'love.' Everything he did, he did for everyone around him whether he knew you or not ... and that's what he's left behind for us: absolute love. I will miss him with every fiber of my heart, as will everybody at this table and everyone who knew him. He was the best of us."

"It's very important that everybody on the outside of us understands that Paul Gray was the essence of the band SLIPKNOT. ... Paul was there from the very, very beginning, and none of us would be on the path that we're on now in life or have the sorts of life that we have without him," percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan added. "Paul loved the fans. He was kind of the person in the band that really wanted everybody in the band to always get along and just concentrate on the band. He was a really great friend and a really great person. He's going to be sadly missed, and the world is going to be a different place without him."

"It's very hard for me right now," added drummer Joey Jordison. "I just want to say that I love you, Paul, very much. You'll be sorely missed by the world over."

Sid Wilson, the band's DJ, credited Gray with introducing him to the band, which he described as a family.

"To me, that's the most important thing," Wilson said. "That in everyone he met there was a change in their life. He was so good at giving everyone a different perspective, and I love him for that."

Percussionist Chris Fehn said when Gray called "you just felt good," and he remembered the bass player as giving "the best hugs out of everyone I ever hugged. When he grabbed on to you, you could feel the love he had for you."

Brenna Gray spoke last, mentioning the couple's unborn child while discussing her husband.

"Paul was my husband, an amazing person, and I want people to remember him for that," Brenna said. "And his daughter will remember him for the way he was."

Paul and his wife were reportedly expecting their first child in September.

You can now watch the entire conference below.

According to DesMoinesRegister.com, Paul Gray's autopsy has revealed no cause of death, Urbandale, Iowa police said this afternoon.

The cause of death is still under investigation, and the Polk County Medical Examiner is awaiting the results of toxicology testing.

Dr. Gregory Schmunk said it could be four to six weeks before all of the test results are complete and the cause of death can be determined, according to police.

The autopsy reportedly did confirm that there was no evidence of foul play or trauma, and that Gray had been dead for several hours before his body was discovered.

Gray was found dead in a hotel room in Urbandale, Iowa on Monday morning (May 24). The 38-year-old musician's body was discovered at 10:50 a.m. local time by an employee of the TownePlace Suites.

Video of news conference:

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