​Leeds-based DJ and producer Yilan has died aged 32

Content warning: This article refers to a death by suicide and an incident of miscarriage that may be distressing to some readers. Resources for support are listed at the end of the article.

Leeds-based DJ and producer Yilan – real name Mark Bridger – has died following a battle with mental health issues, his family have confirmed.

Mark’s death was confirmed as suicide in a statement posted on Instagram last week by fellow musician and close friend of Mark, Tom Wood (AKA Wooda).

“With absolute devastation, I must announce that on February 10, 2025, Mark died by suicide,” the post reads. “He was extremely talented, and a visionary music producer who inspired others.”

The post details that Mark experienced “symptoms of depression” at the end of summer last year, which had “started to develop and progress into the winter”.

“Mark was under a lot of pressure and stress which was having an impact on his wellbeing,” the post read. “Mark did not recognise the depth of his quickly declining mental health, and his usual coping strategies may not have been enough”.

The statement adds that he began to withdraw socially at this time, and struggled to “understand himself and his low mood”. It also adds that those close to him were unable to spot these symptoms due to the “pace of the decline”.

Mark had planned to start a family with his wife, Melissa, the post explains. “During Christmas, Mark and Melissa discovered she was pregnant.”

“Two days later, Melissa tragically suffered a suspected miscarriage. This traumatic incident, with the sudden swing from an extreme high to an extreme low, was catastrophic for Mark.”

The statement explains that this triggered a “severe episode” of psychotic depression in Mark. “The pace and scale of his mental health crisis meant that there was no opportunity to get Mark the emergency medical intervention that he desperately needed.”

Both Tom Wood and Mark’s wife, Melissa, say they believe that speaking on the cause of his death is important – and that “if you are ever experiencing anything similar to Mark, that help is available”.

Sources to mental health support services are linked alongside the post. A fundraiser has also been launched to help support Melissa “alleviate any short term financial issues at this extremely difficult time”.

“It is important that we discuss mental health openly,” the statement reads. “Melissa and I want to be as open and honest about Mark’s death as possible, while maintaining his privacy and dignity”.

An inquest is currently being conducted into Mark’s death. A funeral will be held on Friday, April 4, from 2:PM until midnight at Left Bank in Leeds. Everyone is encouraged to attend the funeral, described as a "celebration of Mark’s life”.

During his music career, Mark Bridger worked under the alias Yilan, releasing on labels including LOFS, Infinite Machine, Earth Movement, and Listening Sessions. His productions and mixes spanned genres from techno to dancehall, baile funk to ambient.

Read the full statement below, and find sources to mental health support services.

If you are in need of help or struggling with suicidal thoughts you can reach out to the National Suicide Hotline in the US or the Suicide Prevention Hotline in the UK.

Samaritans is a charity that aims to help people suffering emotional distress. They are free to contact 24/7 from any UK or Irish phone by dialling 116 123. Head to samaritans.org for further details.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter