Jim Durkin Cause of Death: Dark Angel Guitarist Dead at 58

Jim Durkin, Dark Angel's longtime guitarist, has died at the age of 58, his wife confirmed.

Durkin's wife, Annie, first confirmed the saddening news about his passing through his Facebook page Friday. According to the post, the musician died on Wednesday morning.

"He was not alone as I was with him along with a few close friends until the end," Annie's statement read. "He will be truly missed and no one can ever replace the love I have for him. May he rest in peace."

Annie ended her post by calling the guitarist her "immortal beloved" before expressing her desire to see him again soon.

Meanwhile, Durkin's band, Dark Angel, shared a photo of him alongside a heartfelt caption in which it thanked his fans for their loyalty and support.

Dark Angel said it would release another statement soon. While waiting, it asked the followers to give his bereaved family privacy.

Both statements did not confirm Jim Durkin's cause of death. It also remains unknown whether he suffered a health issue prior to his passing.

On Twitter, fans and colleagues also honored the late musician by sharing photos and clips of him. They posted those alongside heartfelt captions for Durkin.

Jeremy Wagner said, "Jim Durkin. A true riff-master & a huge influence on me when I was a young metal guitarist. Dark Angel's "Darkness Descends" changed my life & Jim Durkin was the chief riffer on that album...to that end, he's a titan of thrash. Travel well, Jim."

Remembering Jim Durkin's Legacy

Jim Durkin served as the guitarist of Dark Angel, a thrash metal band formed in California in 1981. He co-performed with the band for years alongside Eric Meyer, Gene Hoglan, Mike Gonzalez, and Ron Rinehart.

However, only Meyer appeared in all of the band's albums. As for Durkin, he took a long hiatus from Dark Angel starting in 1989 before the recording of its "Live Scars" live album but returned in 2013.

Throughout Dark Angel's career, the band released four studio albums: "We Have Arrived," "Darkness Descends," "Leave Scars," and "Time Does Not Heal." It faced its initial disbandment in 1992 before having a reunion from 2002 to 2005. Durkin joined them when it reunited in 2013.

Dark Angel plans to release its first studio album this year. Unfortunately, with Durkin's death, the guitarist will not be able to become part of it.