Death of Swedish DJ Avicii shocks music community

Publicists have confirmed that Swedish DJ Avicii was found dead in Muscat, Oman overnight. He was 28 years old.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii," publicist Diana Baron said in a statement.

"The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given."

The young DJ and producer, who also released music under the aliases Tim Berg and Tom Hangs, first entered the charts in Australia in 2010, but found significant commercial success in 2011 with the 4x Platinum ARIA Single 'Levels'.

'Wake Me Up' (2013) and 'Hey Brother' (2013) also peaked at #1 and #2 respectively on the ARIA Singles Charts, helping to bring influences of the EDM style of music to commercial radio in Australia.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which has been the artist's music publisher since 2010, added: “We are mourning the incredibly sad loss of an exceptionally creative talent who we have been honoured and proud to represent as one of our songwriters for a number of years. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Avicii's peers in the dance music scene, including Calvin Harris and David Guetta, are mourning the loss of the influential act.

Avicii's deteriorating health was widely known, with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and subsequent surgeries eventually leading to the artist retiring from touring in 2016.

His last single released 'Lonely Together' saw him work with Rita Ora.