Paul Gray

The body of the 38-year-old musician was found by an employee at the hotel in a suburb of the city. Police said foul play was not suspected, but an autopsy will be carried out.

The band, famous for their ghoulish masks, won a Grammy in 2006 for the song "Before I Forget".

Most of the band members come from the Des Moines area.

"This is a big blow, not only to the community of Des Moines but fans of metal at large, worldwide," said local radio station director Andy Hall, who says he has know Gray for a decade.

"It's a devastating loss. Paul was a wonderful human being."