Singer Vic Chesnut dies on Christmas day after attempted suicide a week ago

Singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt has died at age 45. He died on December 25, 2009 in Athens, GA. A family spokesperson has stated to the Los Angeles Times that Chesnutt intentionally tried to commit suicide by overdosing on prescription muscle relaxants, which put him in a coma for a week before he passed.

The musician's record label, Constellation Records, released a statement on their website:

"In the few short years that we knew him personally, Vic transformed our sense of what true character, grace and determination are all about. Our grief is inexpressible and Vic's absence unfathomable."

After being confined to a wheelchair since the age of 18 after a serious car accident, Chesnutt was discovered by R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe in the 80s, going on to release a number of critically acclaimed records throughout his career. He began to achieve commercial success after the 1996 release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of his songs covered by artists like Garbage, R.E.M., Indigo Girls, Smashing Pumpkins, Joe Henry, Madonna, and others.

Throwing Muses singer and Chesnutt collaborator Kristin Hersh posted to her Twitter on Wednesday while Chesnutt was still in a coma, confirming his attempts to take his own life:

"Another suicide attempt, looks bad, coma–if he survives, there may be brain damage. This time, it's real scary: *this* time, he left a note, *this* time, he asked them to call me."

In an interview earlier this month, Chesnutt discussed his country song, "Flirted With You All My Life," which he said served as a sort of confrontational letter to his own thoughts about suicide.
"I've been a suicidal person all my life, and that song is me finally being 'Screw you, death,'" Chesnutt said.

Chesnutt leaves behind his wife, Tina Whatley Chesnutt, and sister, Lorinda Crane.