Notable Deaths of 2016

Bill Johnson:
William Dean "Bill" Johnson, the first American male to win an Olympic gold medal in alpine skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, died on January 21 after a long illness related to a disastrous ski crash. He was 55.

Glenn Frey:
Glenn Frey, the guitarist for The Eagles, died of complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia on January 18. He was 67. The band announced the news on its website stating that "Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications."

Dan Haggerty:
Dan Haggerty, best known for his title role in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, died in January after a five-month battle with cancer. He was 74. Haggerty's manager confirmed the news on January 15 stating "he died with his kids around him and people who love him."

Alan Rickman:
Beloved British actor Alan Rickman died in January after a battle with cancer. He was 69. Rickman was best known for playing a pantheon of bad guys on the big screen including Die Hard's Hans Gruber, Robin Hood's Sheriff of Nottingham and Harry Potter's Professor Severus Snape.

Rene Angelil:
Celine Dion's husband and former manager Rene Angelil died January 14 after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 73. Dion announced the death on her website and stated "more details will be provided at a later time".

David Bowie:
Rock icon David Bowie died on January 10 after an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 69. A statement released on his Facebook page said Bowie died "peacefully" and surrounded by his family. The rock legend released his final album, Blackstar, two days prior, on his 69th birthday.

Craig Strickland:
Craig Strickland, the frontman for Backroad Anthem, was found dead on January 4, eight days after he was reported missing. Strickland and a friend were hunting duck on Kaw Lake, Okla. when their boat capsized during Winter Storm Goliath.

Natalie Cole:
Recording artist Natalie Cole died from congestive heart failure in a Los Angeles hospital on January 1. She was 65. According to TMZ Cole had been suffering from complications from a kidney transplant and Hepatitis C, and was forced to cancel several recent shows shortly before her death.