Grammy-award winning US heavymetal band Slipknot are in mourning after the group's bassist was found dead.

Tributes from fans have been paid online after Paul Gray was discovered at a hotel near the band's home town in Iowa on Monday.

At the moment it is not clear how the 38-year-old died but police say there is no evidence of "foul play".

Gray co-founded the band in 1995 with Shawn 'Clown' Crahan.

The controversial group, who are known for their extreme behaviour on stage, have topped the charts all over the world. Their 2001 record Iowa went to number one in the UK album charts.