Family of Slipknot’s Paul Gray settle wrongful death case

Paul Gray in 2009
Paul Gray in 2009 (Image credit: Getty)

The family of late Slipknot bassist Paul Gray have reached a settlement in their lawsuit against pain relief specialist Dr Daniel Baldi and his former company, who they blame for his death in 2010 from a drug overdose.

Baldi, who had been treating Gray for years for pain and addiction issues, was acquitted of seven charges relating to the deaths of patients including Gray in 2014.

The lawsuit alleged that the musician wasn’t properly monitored during his treatment for drug addiction.

Gray’s widow Brenna sued Baldi and his former employers, including the hospital company UnityPoint-Des Moines, on behalf of their daughter October, who was born three months after Gray’s death, for the loss of her father’s love and emotional support — known as loss of consortium.

The Des Moines Register report that the suit, which was initially dismissed because it was filed too late after Gray’s death, was due to go to trial on Monday, January 22, but was settled over the course of the weekend for an undisclosed figure.

Baldi denied he was at fault, with his lawyer Connie Diekema noting that the doctor did not prescribe the drugs that led to Gray’s death.

Slipknot Clown's art inspired by Paul Gray

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.