Mark E. Smith’s sisters Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline have released an official statement confirming the cause of the Fall singer’s death.

Smith, who passed away in January at the age of 60, had been battling a diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer up until his death. Despite the pain, Smith continued to perform “Mark was such a strong man and hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice,” his family said.

Read the statement in full, here:

“We would like to thank family, friends and fans for all their kind words, condolences and memories about our brother Mark.

“Also, the N.H.S and staff who treated Mark throughout and Mark’s partner Pam who loved, cared and cherished our brother.

“Mark fought a long and hard battle after his diagnosis of terminal lung and kidney cancer. He took every treatment going, which could be brutal at times and left Mark with some horrible side effects. Mark was such a strong man and hated letting his fans down and tried to carry on regardless against all advice.

“Mark had a great life and loved and lived it to the full and always by his own rules and we, as his sisters were privileged to be part of it too.

“Mark is at peace now and pain free, but we, his three sisters have been left heartbroken and will miss our big brother very much.

“Barbara, Suzanne and Caroline.”