Marek Greschek, former guitarist for the German technical thrash band Despair, died on May 15 at the age of 45.

Marek's former Despair bandmate, producer/guitarist Waldemar Sorychta (Grip Inc., Lacuna Coil, Moonspell, Samael), has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.Net:

"Marek made a suicide.

"I have no words.

"He showed me the first chord on a guitar.

"We shared for over six years Despair history. We went to the darkest and happiest moments.

"[A] Friend but even more importantly... [a] Brother left this world.

"I totaly diagree with his decision, but I have to live with the consequences.

"R.I.P. Marek"

Sorychta was the musical mastermind of the first Century Media band Despair, which released its first album, "History of Hate" in 1988 with Century Media founder Robert Kampf on vocals.

Former Despair drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald joined German thrash metal veterans Sodom in December 2010 as the replacement for Bobby Schottkowski.