Singer/ songwriter Vic Chesnutt has been pronounced dead following a short time in a coma following a suicide attempt Christmas Eve.

The paraplegic singer/song writer first came to prominence when he was spotted by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe; Stipe produced Vic Chesnutt’s first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).

Ceshnutt worked with a variety of artists over a total of 13 albums, with artists including Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna, R.E.M. and Live covering his songs in a tribute album for charity in 1996.

In recent times Chesnutt has battled depression, and financial issues including a large unpaid hospital bill.

Chesnutt was 45.