VENOMIN JAMES drummer Jared Koston, 40, passed away of cancer on June 1st at his home in Madison, Ohio surrounded by his family and friends.

”I want to thank everyone that has helped him with this fight”, says his wife Michele Koston. “The fight is over and now he does not have to worry about all the pain it has brought him. I will never understand why my soul mate, my best friend, my husband, my lover, and the father of our two great kids is not with me. This is so hard to know that when I go to sleep in bed he will not be there. I know he is no longer in pain. He should never have got cancer. He would still be here with me. I miss my baby so much. This can't be real. I want to wake up from this bad nightmare."

Michele is in immediate need of financial support to help pay for the home hospice care and funeral arrangements. The Kostons have four children, no health insurance or employment.

Donations can be made as follows:

PayPal donations can be sent to: jaredkoston@rocketmail.com (be sure to mark "personal," then select "gift").

Cash, checks or money orders (payable to Michele Koston) can be sent to:

The Koston Family

3060 Princeton Drive

Madison, Ohio 44057

USA

“Michele stayed by Jared’s side right until the end”, says Auburn Records president Bill Peters. “It was incredible what she did for him. The love they have between each other is very special. She stayed strong throughout the duration of Jared’s illness for both him and her children. She is an amazing woman.

”I am very happy Michele was able to bring Jared home from the hospital in time to be at peace with his family. This is where he wanted to be. Jared was fortunate enough to have the love and support of many family and friends by his side right up until the end. I was there with him too and could tell he was at peace when he left us. Thank you for keeping the Kostons in your thoughts and prayers.”