Cancer has struck once again as the former Dope/Murderdolls/Pretty Boy Floyd drummer Ben Graves has passed away. The drummer kept his sickness quiet as he spent the last 11 months fighting off the disease. Yesterday (9th), he unfortunately lost the battle. While his actual age is disputed on several websites, he was in his mid-40s. His fiancee, Lydia, revealed the news with the following statement:
“This is incredibly hard for me to write this, but I know it is necessary because Ben has so many friends and fans.
Most of you don’t know that Ben has been battling cancer for the last 11 months. It was his decision to keep his health very quiet.
Ben passed away today, May 9th 2018, from complications due to his cancer. His diagnosis was grim but he fought a long and hard battle to try and beat it and overcome the odds. Some battles can’t be won no matter how hard you try.
Please respect me, his family and close friends while we grieve. Even though we knew it was eventually coming, the complication was sudden and very unexpected.
It’s devastating to lose someone you love more than yourself. My heart is broken, my heart died with him.
We will be taking him home to Massachusetts. I will organize a memorial for Ben’s LA friends, details to follow.
Post some photos of Ben for us to see him as he was.
💔Lydia”
RIP Ben ‘the Ghoul’ Graves. You were one of the most unapologetic, true to yourself people I have ever known. Thank you so, so much for sharing music with me and countless others. Grateful we talked yesterday and got to listen to Kiss one last time before you take the big stage.
— Acey Slade (@AceySlade1) May 9, 2018
It is with deep sadness to report to all the fans, that Murderdolls drummer Ben “The Ghoul” Graves has passed away. Please see our FB page for the statement: https://t.co/k1XNUIeWkF pic.twitter.com/R2CHM2BiNE
— wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) May 9, 2018
Remember Ben “The Ghoul” Graves.
R.I.P. 1972-2018 pic.twitter.com/BQwBbnrknG— wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) May 10, 2018
Today we ghouls mourn the passing of another legend.
Rock In Peace Ben “The Ghoul” Graves. Your drumming skills will be sorely missed.#ripbengraves #bentheghoul #murderdolls #drummer
— W13’s Ghoul Scouts (@GhoulW13) May 9, 2018
Tragic news that Ben Graves has passed away. Rip Ben.
— Xristian Simon (@XristianSimon) May 10, 2018
Sorry to hear about the sudden passing of drummer Ben Graves. We worked together in the early 2000’s when he was a member of Murderdolls… always pleasant and laser focused on his craft. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/hNegstjDzf
— derek wolfford (@boomboomblap) May 10, 2018
Our condolences go out to Graves’ friends and family during this difficult time.
