Michelle Kerr passed away on September 14. The veteran hard rock and metal publicist died peacefully and surrounded by loved ones after a five-year-long fight against cancer. 

I first met Michelle when she ran the publicity department for Roadrunner Records’ UK office, where she worked with Nickelback, Korn, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, and Type O Negative, among others. 

After 17 years with the company, she cofounded Cosa Nostra PR with fellow Roadrunner alum Kirsten Sprinks. The boutique firm quickly expanded into the United States with the additions of Charley Johns and Becky Black. Cosa Nostra PR clients in the US office include Ice Nine Kills, Slaughter To Prevail, and Twiztid. 

Kerrang! published a personal remembrance from photographer Paul Harries, which you can read here. Music Week collected social media posts from Robb Flynn, Jamey Jasta, Matt Heafy, Black Stone Cherry, 5B Artist Management, and more, who loved and knew her well. Metal Injection did, as well.

A GoFundMe has been launched to help with Kerr‘s memorial costs.

Rest easy now, Michelle.