Duncan Sheik, singer-songwriter and Broadway composer, has died at age 56.

What it means

Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter best known for his 1990s alt-pop hit 'Barely Breathing' and later for composing the Tony-winning Broadway musical 'Spring Awakening,' has died at age 56. Multiple news outlets report his death, with causes cited as cardiac arrest or organ failure.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is highly solid: it is reported by numerous major news organizations (NBC News, The Guardian, Washington Post, AP, CBS News, etc.), some citing his mother or representative. While the highlight note does not cite a primary source directly, the convergence of independent reporting makes the death all but certain.

How new

The news is genuinely new, published on September 18, 2026, reporting his recent death.

Go deeper

• New York Post — first to publish