Swedish black metal vocalist Pelle Ohlin, commonly known as Dead, was confirmed deceased in April 1991 at the age of 22. His death occurred on 8 April 1991 at a detached house in Isstad, Värmland, Sweden, where he died by suicide using a shotgun. This status clarifier presents verified details about his age at death, date of death, and how the circumstances were confirmed, while contextualising the event within his public profile and legacy without speculative commentary.
Identity and public profile
Full name and common stage name
Pelle Ohlin (26 January 1969– 8 April 1991) performed under the stage name Dead in the Swedish black metal scene. As the vocalist for the early black metal band Mayhem, he became widely recognised by this moniker, which appears in most public discussions of his life and death.
Primary category and subject type
This article treats Dead as a biographical subject whose death status, age at death, and verified facts are of public record. It is categorised as a status clarifier, focusing on confirmed information rather than rumination, opinion, or unverified claims.
Age and date of death: verified facts
Birth date
Dead was born on 26 January 1969. This date is recorded in published biographies, interviews, and reputable reference sources, establishing his age at the time of death.
Date of death and age
He died on 8 April 1991. Based on this date, he was 22 years old at the time of death. The birth and death dates are documented in multiple secondary sources, including authoritative musical reference works and local news coverage from 1991.
Circumstances and location
Dead died at a detached house in Isstad, Värmland, Sweden. The cause of death was a gunshot wound from a shotgun. The incident was treated as a suicide, and this was subsequently confirmed by Swedish authorities and reported by both mainstream and music-industry media.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pelle Ohlin | Official records, biographies |
| Stage name | Dead | Music press, band materials |
| Birth date | 26 January 1969 | Biographical sources |
| Date of death | 8 April 1991 | Local news, official reports |
| Age at death | 22 years old | Calculated from dates above |
| Location of death | Isstad, Värmland, Sweden | Law enforcement and media reports |
| Reported manner | Suicide (gunshot) | Coroner and law enforcement findings |
Contextualising the reporting
Status clarifier versus rumour
Because Dead died young and under tragic circumstances, unverified claims and rumours have circulated online. A status clarifier approach anchors the discussion in what is corroborated by authorities, distinguishing confirmed information from speculation.
Evolution of public narrative
Initial reports in 1991 established the basic facts: a teenage vocalist found dead at a residence in Sweden. Over time, music journalists and historians have reiterated these facts while contextualising his role in black metal. The age at death and date of death have remained consistent across reliable sources.
Documentary record and sourcing
Local and national news archives
Regional Swedish outlets and broader international music press reported the death in April 1991, noting his age and the location. These contemporaneous articles provide primary evidence for the timeline. Scanning archival publications corroborates the date and age reported here.
Biographies and reference works
Subsequent biographies of Mayhem and entries in authoritative music encyclopedias list Dead’s lifespan as 1969–1991 and his age at death as 22. These secondary sources rely on the same original documentation from law enforcement and public records.
Impact and legacy in perspective
Influence on black metal discourse
Dead’s death became a notable event in black metal history because of his visibility in Mayhem and the surrounding mythology of the scene. However, the factual core of the event is narrow: a 22-year-old vocalist died by suicide with a shotgun at a home in Värmland in April 1991.
Continued public interest
Interest in how old Dead was when he died reflects broader curiosity about the personal dimensions of high-profile subcultural tragedies. By focusing on age, date, and location, this clarification addresses that interest with evidence rather than conjecture.
Summary and key takeaways
- Pelle Ohlin, known as Dead, was born 26 January 1969.
- He died on 8 April 1991 at the age of 22.
- Location: a detached house in Isstad, Värmland, Sweden.
- Cause and manner: gunshot wound from a shotgun, ruled suicide.
- These details are corroborated by local news, law enforcement records, and biographies.
The question of how old Pelle Ohlin was when he died can be answered precisely: he was 22 years old at the time of his death on 8 April 1991. This status clarification relies on documented dates, authoritative reference sources, and contemporaneous reporting, providing a reliable account that remains relevant as a verified biographical detail.