Photo via GoFundMe page

It’s always sad to report another death in the metal community, especially when it’s one that happens earlier than it should. That’s the case with original Malevolent Creation vocalist Bret Hoffman, who has died from colorectal cancer at 51. Blabbermouth reports that Hoffman’s wife, Kimberly Karan Hoffman announced his death on Facebook, saying”Today is the saddest day of my life. I just lost my soulmate, the love of my [life]. My best friend has passed away. I will always love [you], RIP, my love.”

A GoFundMe page had been set up for Hoffman who went into details about his cancer and urged that everyone get checked out. While he knew that he had a long road ahead of him to recovery, the post was optimistic. There hadn’t been any additional updates since the inital April 20th posting, but the campaign had come within $1,300 of it’s $10,000 goal. Sadly the proceeds may now go toward his funeral. Hoffman played on the first three Malevolent Creation albums, leaving the band in 1993. He’d been in and out of the band since then, last performing on the band’s 2015 album, Dead Man’s Path. He’d most recently been in a band Fire for Effect.