If you were anywhere near a dance floor between 2011 and 2018, you’ve heard Avicii‘s music. Now, years after his passing, fans of the Swedish producer and DJ are ready for a more intimate look at his life with Netflix’s Avicii — I’m Tim. But ahead of the documentary, many are still questioning: what was Avicii’s cause of death?
Avicii, born Tim Bergling, transformed electronic dance music through chart-topping hits like “Wake Me Up,” “Levels,” and “Hey Brother.” From humble beginnings making music in his Stockholm bedroom to headlining major festivals worldwide, Avicii’s rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. By age 16, Bergling was already posting his remixes on electronic music forums.
His breakthrough came in 2011 with “Levels,” an instant club classic that sampled Etta James and earned him international acclaim. But it was his 2013 album, True, that really showcased his innovative spirit, blending EDM with unexpected genres like bluegrass and folk music. The result was “Wake Me Up,” featuring Aloe Blacc’s vocals, which topped charts in over 20 countries.
Despite his commercial success—which included Grammy nominations, hundreds of live shows, and collaborations with everyone from Madonna to Coldplay—Bergling struggled with life in the spotlight, and his unexpected death in 2018 would shock fans and fellow musicians alike.
What was Avicii’s cause of death?
Bergling was found dead on April 20, 2018, near Muscat, Oman, where he had been on vacation. He was 28 years old. The Omani police initially reported “no criminal suspicion” or evidence of foul play in the death.
On May 1, 2018, TMZ reported that the cause of death was suicide due to self-inflicted injuries with a broken wine bottle, with Bergling ultimately dying of blood loss. His family later held a private funeral, and he was buried on June 8, 2018, at the Skogskyrkogården cemetery in Stockholm.
In the days following his death, his family released a statement that offered some deeper insight into his personal struggles. “Our beloved Tim was a seeker, a fragile artistic soul searching for answers to existential questions. An overachieving perfectionist who traveled and worked hard at a pace that led to extreme stress,” their statement read. “When he stopped touring, he wanted to find a balance in life to be happy and be able to do what he loved most – music. He really struggled with thoughts about Meaning, Life, Happiness. He could not go on any longer. He wanted to find peace.”
Their statement continued: “Tim was not made for the business machine he found himself in; he was a sensitive guy who loved his fans but shunned the spotlight. Tim, you will forever be loved and sadly missed. The person you were and your music will keep your memory alive.”
The years before his death had shown signs of mounting pressure. In 2016, Avicii stunned fans by announcing his retirement from touring. He had been open about his health challenges, including acute pancreatitis, which doctors partly attributed to excessive drinking. His grueling tour schedule—sometimes performing 250 shows per year—had taken a severe toll on both his physical and mental health.
The 2017 documentary Avicii: True Stories, released just months before his death, revealed the intense pressure he faced. Footage showed him working from hospital beds and struggling with the demands of constant touring. Despite stepping back from live performances, he continued to produce music, releasing the EP “Avīci (01)” in 2017.
Following his death, his family established the Tim Bergling Foundation, which works with mental health and suicide prevention organizations. His final recordings were released posthumously in 2019 on the album TIM, with proceeds going to the foundation. The album featured collaborations with artists like Imagine Dragons and Aloe Blacc, and showcases the spirit that made him a pioneer in electronic music.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available. Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential counseling.
