Keith Flint, lead singer of The Prodigy, was found dead this morning in his U.K. home in Essex. He was 49.

Local police confirmed his death after reporting to his home this morning. The Prodigy founder Liam Howlett reported Flint’s death as a suicide, writing on the band’s official Instagram page: “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, fuckin angry, confused and heart broken ..... r.i.p brother Liam.”

A statement from the band reads: “It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint. A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.”

Formed in 1990, The Prodigy were at the forefront of a big beat explosion that crossed over from rave clubs into the mainstream. They went on to sell more than 30m records worldwide across seven albums, all of which hit #1 in the U.K. bar their debut in ’92.

Flint, initially the band’s dancer, became the lead singer in 1996, co-writing and singing on tracks such as the breakthrough single “Firestarter” and “Breathe” from The Fat of the Land (XL).

Those paying tribute on social media include XL founder Richard Russell who first signed The Prodigy to the early iteration of his label. He tweeted: "devastated keith flint is gone. not just a great performer. he had total integrity & an incredible sense of humour. one of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with. what a beautiful energy. what a gentleman. privileged to have known him. miss u keith."

The band released their seventh album, No Tourists, in November. The Prodigy is scheduled to make their first U.S. tour in a decade in May.