Van Halen died from a stroke caused by throat cancer at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California on October 6, 2020, at the age of 65 surrounded by his wife, Janie; son and Van Halen bassist, Wolfgang; ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli; and brother, Alex; co-founder and drummer of Van Halen. Some of Van Halen's childhood landmarks in Pasadena became memorials where fans could pay their respects.