India, Sept. 18 -- Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter behind the 1996 hit "Barely Breathing" and the Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening, has died at the age of 56. Sheik died on Thursday, September 17, in Manhattan, according to his family. His mother, Suzanne Sheik, confirmed his death to The New York Times. Reports on the cause of death have described it as organ failure, while PEOPLE reported that it was heart failure leading to cardiac arrest.

The news came just one day after Sheik's family announced that he was receiving medical treatment and remained in critical but stable condition. His family had asked for privacy at the time.

Sheik leaves behind his partner, Nora Ariffin, their daughter Ines, his parents and his h...