Trans-Siberian Orchestra founder Paul O'Neill is dead at the age of 61. The group's Facebook page reported the news Wednesday night, saying he had been suffering from a chronic illness.
University of South Florida police spokeswoman Renna Reddick says O'Neill was found dead in his room by hotel staff at a Tampa Embassy Suites late Wednesday afternoon.
The band calls his death "a profound and indescribable loss for us all." On their Facebook page, they note "He was our friend and our leader -- a truly creative spirit and an altruistic soul."
In Trans-Siberian Orchestra's announcement of O'Neill's death, they asked for fans to respect the privacy of his family. The band wrote that they would be sharing more news about his death soon.