PRODIGY star Keith Flint killed himself days after putting his beloved home up for sale — following a devastating split from his wife.

The rave legend, 49, died at the Essex farmhouse he shared with Japanese ex Mayumi Kai.

11 Prodigy singer Keith Flint killed himself after splitting from his wife and being forced to put his home up for sale Credit: AFP

11 Keith Flint's wife was Japanese model and DJ Mayumi Kai, who was in Japan at the time of his death

11 Keith Flint was found dead at the £1.5million Essex farmhouse he shared with Mayumi Credit: PA:Press Association

Keith Flint ‘suicide’ – The Prodigy legend famed for Firestarter and wild haircut dead after ‘taking his own life’ aged 49

Prodigy co-founder Liam Howlett posted: “The news is true, I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend.

“I’m shell shocked, f**kin’ angry, confused and heart broken . . . r.i.p brother Liam #theprodigy.”

Keith’s death came two days after he was pictured in the 5k Chelmsford Central Parkrun where he got a personal best.

Last night sources said Keith had plunged into depression after the split with Mayumi and may have started taking drugs again.

11 Keith’s death came two days after he was pictured in the 5k Chelmsford Central Parkrun

11 Keith Flint died at the Essex farmhouse he shared with Japanese ex Mayumi Kai

11 Sources have said Keith had plunged into depression after the split with Mayumi and may have started taking drugs again Credit: Rex Features

He previously admitted to a long battle with drink, drugs and depression and said his wife “saved him”.

Mayumi was in Japan when Keith was found “unresponsive” by medics yesterday morning at the £1.5million marital home in Dunmow.

Keith had only weeks before returned from Prodigy’s tour of Australia, so they had barely been in the same country over recent months.

The couple married in 2006, and besotted Keith once described the Japanese model and DJ as “beautiful, f***ing cool”.

11 Keith once described the Japanese model and DJ, who he married in 2006, as 'beautiful, f***ing cool' Credit: ©PacificCoastNews.com

Of the moment they met, he said: “We were touring and she just walked into this room we were in, and you know how it is, I just couldn’t talk, I was overwhelmed.”

The couple owned several dogs and rode horses together.

Describing their country lifestyle, he once said: “We like to take picnics and sandwiches, driving through the green lanes.

“My wife loves the house, the dogs, and the animals we have around us, the deer and the fox that comes and pokes his head through the hedge.”

11 Keith was also trying to sell the pub he ran after it was besieged by anti-hunting protesters Credit: Alamy Live News

However after the split Keith decided to sell the farmhouse which he had described as his sanctuary.

Estate agents Anderson’s posted details of it last Friday — although they were removed yesterday.

Land Registry documents showed a property adjustment order was made on the house last March — entitling his wife to a share.

Sources said Keith was also trying to sell the pub he ran after it was besieged by anti-hunting protesters.

11 Keith Flint, pictured with a fan, during Prodigy's tour of Australia last month Credit: Instagram

He was seeking to offload The Leather Bottle in Pleshey, a regular haunt of local fox hunters, for £85,000.

Keith’s bandmates even hired a local minder — known as The Essex Giant — for him after becoming worried about trouble from activists.

Accounts appeared to show Keith’s pub business owed £510,000 last year — although this could have been offset by the £1.5million he earned touring between 2017 and 2018.

Pals raised the alarm yesterday morning after becoming concerned for Keith’s welfare.

11 Prodigy had been booked to headline Glastonbury festival this year Credit: AFP or licensors

11 Bandmate Liam Howlett wrote an emotional statement on Instagram

An air ambulance was sent to the scene but paramedics were unable to revive the star.

It was not clear how long his body had been there but it is understood he ran with a personal trainer every day.

He did Saturday’s parkrun in 21 minutes, 22 seconds, according to the official website. Onlooker Rob Hadgraft said he looked “in great shape and spirits”.

Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis confirmed Prodigy had been booked to headline the festival this year.

Keith Flint wows crowds at The Prodigy gig in New Zealand in last performance before his death

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An East of England Ambulance spokesman said crews were called at 8.08am but added: “Sadly a man in his 40s died at the scene.”

Essex Police said: “We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead. His next of kin have been informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Tributes to rock legend KEITH Flint was described as a “pioneer”, “icon” and a “gentleman” in glowing tributes. DJ Pete Tong called him a “true original” and hailed The Prodigy’s contribution to dance music culture. BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley said: “Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart. Really lovely. Iconic frontman with a soft centre.” Rapper Dizzee Rascal said he first thought Keith was a “lunatic”. But he added: “I opened up for The Prodigy in 2009 and he was one of the nicest people I’ve met.” Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis called Keith “incredible” and his ex Gail Porter said she was “heartbroken”. The Chemical Brothers, Chase and Status, and Kasabian also paid tribute. Actress Kathy Burke said: “He did what all music stars are meant to do — he frightened your mums and dads.”