Today, Huntress have issued an official statement that their frontwoman Jill Janus passed away on Tuesday, August 14 at the age of 43. A long-time sufferer of mental illness, it was confirmed that she took her own life outside of Portland, Oregon. Janus had been upfront with her struggles with mental illness, publicly revealing a suicide attempt several years ago in addition to discussing her battles with bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The band said of her passing: “Janus was a truly special creative involved with numerous musical projects including her role as vocalist for female metal/hard rock cover bands TheStarbreakers and Chelsea Girls. In addition, Janus was co-composer and creator of an upcoming rock opera with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Angus Clark and had a decade-long career as NYC DJ Penelope Tuesdae. Her musical career began in childhood.”

In a statement directly from the Janus family and Huntress,they mentioned her numerous  accomplishments in the music world as well as her advocacy for mental health issues, noting  “she was a beautiful person passionate about her family, animal rescue and the world of natural medicine. She will be missed more than she could have ever known.”

Janus’ former bandmate Casey Wood wrote via social media:“I’m in shock and can’t stop crying. My X best friend, singer has left the world. She was the biggest sweetheart and I hope that her Legacy lives on as it should! You were supposed to be on your way back here Jill Janus. I love you I miss you, and my door is still open for you always. Rest in peace my sister.”

Huntress guitarist Blake Meahl, who was involved romantically with Janus, shared the below post regarding her death:

With the reference to Aldebaran, it is not immediately clear as to what that means. However, Wikipedia says that Aldebaran is actually a “orange giant star located about 65 light-years from the Sun in the zodiac constellation of Taurus.”  The star is the brightest in its constellation and the fourteenth-brightest star in the nighttime sky,