As previously reported, criminal charges were filed this week against a Des Moines, Iowa, doctor who is accused of contributing to the deaths of eight patients, including Slipknot bassist Paul Gray. Now, Slipknot percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan, who was one of the people interviewed by police for the case, has spoken out on the matter.

Crahan was one of nine people — including Gray’s widow Brenna — who provided information during the investigation, but as he told reporters, “None of it is going to bring back our brother Paul.”

The physician, Daniel Baldi, has been charged with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly over-prescribing narcotic painkillers to his patients — dangerous malpractice in any case, but particularly problematic in Gray’s case, given his history of drug abuse.

“This epidemic of this sort of activity is becoming more and more … evident,” observed Crahan. “It truly is becoming a problem amongst people. And it trickles all the way down to the youth. And awareness needs to be brought about — not only substance abuse but the ability to acquire substances, to get chemicals and the efficiency of it. Hopefully justice will be served.”

Slipknot will reportedly issue a full-length statement today (Sept. 6) responding to this stunning development in the loss of their bandmate, whose 2010 death was ruled an accidental overdose. Baldi, if convicted, faces up to 16 years in prison.

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