Timi "Grabber" Hansen unfortunately revealed to the world that he would not take part in the coming Mercyful Fate reunion due to his ongoing battle with cancer. At the time, Hansen added "It's my big dream to be on stage again playing the old Mercyful Fate numbers in front of all of you very loyal fans. If this wasn't going to happen, I'd like to ask you to take good care of [Fates Warning bassist] Joey Vera."
King Diamond himself has now taken to social media to sadly announce that Hansen has passed away, saying he spoke to Hansen only a few weeks ago and "I could understand that things had gotten tougher than they ever were, and yet he said 'we fight on.'"
I just found out that I lost one of my dearest friends, who has been fighting cancer for a long time, in such an incredibly brave way. He was not just my roommate on the early Mercyful Fate tours, but he was always my favorite bass player of all times.
I was fortunate to have been able to visit him at his apartment with some other good friends, and we had a great afternoon that will never be forgotten.
When I last talked to Timi on the phone on October 24th, I could understand that things had gotten tougher than they ever were, and yet he said “we fight on”.
I feel so so sad for his entire family, you have my absolute deepest sympathy.
Hansen played with King Diamond between 1985 and 1987, and with Mercyful Fate between 1981 and 1985, again between 1993 and 1994, and took part in both the 2008 and 2011 reunions.
I just found out that I lost one of my dearest friends, who has been fighting cancer for a long time, in such an incredibly brave way. I feel so so sad for his entire family, you have my absolute deepest sympathy.
Rest in Peace, Timi. My dear dear friend.
King pic.twitter.com/6igMt5Z7CN— King Diamond (@kingdiamond) November 4, 2019
I just found out that I lost one of my dearest friends, who has been fighting cancer for a long time, in such an…
Posted by MERCYFUL FATE on Monday, November 4, 2019
