Peter Steele died on April 14, 2010 at the age of just 48 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Initial report that he died from a heart failure, but an autopsy revealed that he died from aortic aneurysm, which is abnormal enlargement of aorta. Pete spent much of the time in his bed for few days with a flu. He had been in good health for months while wasn't drinking alcohol or doing drugs. Living in clean life would ensure him to write music better.
He was preparing to head back to Brooklyn after other members set up equipment in a studio to record a new Type O Negative album. They are preparing to start making new album in early May 2010. But his death in mid-April would delay the plan forever.
Life before death
Peter Steele was born on January 4, 1962 in Red Hook neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. His musical career started in 1979 with the bands Fallout then Carnivore. He formed Type O Negative in 1989 and released seven studio albums, including their landmark album Bloody Kisses and most popular favorite album October Rust by fans. He had health issues during his career from drug and alcohol abuse. The song "The Dream Is Dead" of Life Is Killing Me made fans to really worry that it would be their final Type O album. Dead Again released in March 2007 would be their final Type O Negative album before Steele passed.
Death and burial
An oak tree commemorating Peter Steele
He stopped drinking alcohol and taking drugs in fall 2009 as he wanted to change his life around for the better. Around April 11–12, 2010, he suffered a flu and stayed in bed during much of the time at his home in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He suffered a sudden heart problem in which his aorta was enlarged and died from it. Unbeknownst to other members, they tried calling him about the studio being set up but he didn't answer. Fellow member Johnny Kelly received a call from Peter's sister notifying them that Pete is dead.
Following funeral services, Peter Steele was buried at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in East Farmingdale, New York. On November 21, 2011 an oak tree was planted in Prospect Park in Brooklyn to commemorate Steele.
End of Type O Negative
Following the death of Steele, the remaining Type O members stated in July 2010 the band may not continue without him. In November 2010, they all agreed to dissolve the band rather than looking for somebody to replace Steele, with Johnny Kelly stating "Even if there is somebody who could take his place it wouldn't matter. We don't have any interest in continuing. It's impossible – it hasn't even come up in any kind of discussion. When Peter died, Type O Negative died with him."
Josh Silver would retire from music career and became a paramedic in New York City. Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly stayed with Seventh Void until they split up in 2017 and formed the band Silvertomb.
Alternate reality
Main article: Follow-up to Dead Again
If Peter Steele didn't die, Type O Negative would've released more albums up to this point. Fans wondered what those album would've been like. Pete was getting religious, as evidenced on Dead Again. So those follow-up albums would have more religious theme as well as having lyrics about the enlightenment after Steele became clean and sober. Others say one of the albums would've feature the return of sounds reminiscent of October Rust.