Blaze Bayley's wife, Debbie, passed away on September 27 after a stroke in hospital.
"Blaze has lost his wife, her family have lost a daughter and sister, the band has lost its manager and we have all lost a very good friend," said the band in a statement on www.planetblaze.com.
"The world is a poorer place for it."
Everyone at Kerrang! would like to pass on their deepest sympathies to Blaze, family and friends.