Slipknot has confirmed the departure of longtime turntablist and keyboardist Sid Wilson, bringing weeks of speculation about his future with the heavy metal band to an abrupt conclusion — only for the band to delete its announcement shortly afterward.

The development came late on August 14, 2026, in a brief black-and-white statement shared by Slipknot on social media. The post said the band would “no longer be associated” with Wilson and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The announcement was removed soon after it was published, leaving fans with more questions about the circumstances surrounding Wilson’s exit.

Wilson’s departure had been the subject of growing speculation for several weeks following reports that he had been dismissed from the band.

Slipknot’s now-deleted statement appeared to make the split official, stating:

“Effective immediately, Slipknot will no longer be associated with Sid Wilson. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The band did not provide any explanation for the decision in the post.

The statement was later reshared by Knotfest, allowing screenshots and copies of the announcement to spread across social media even after Slipknot removed the original.

The sudden announcement — and its equally sudden disappearance — triggered a wave of reactions from Slipknot fans.

Some questioned why the band had not made a more detailed announcement, while others expressed concern over the continuing departure of longtime members.

“Mad disrespectful couldn’t even announce it on the actual Slipknot page,” one fan wrote.

Another questioned whether more departures could follow, while a different commenter argued that the band should consider ending if it continued to lose members.

For longtime followers of Slipknot, Wilson’s departure also carries particular weight. He joined the band in 1998, shortly before the release of its self-titled debut album, and became an integral part of the group’s live and recorded sound.

Reports about Wilson’s alleged dismissal first began circulating roughly two weeks before Slipknot’s announcement.

TMZ initially reported, citing a source close to the band, that Wilson had been fired. The report was followed by a cryptic response from guitarist Jim Root, who appeared to urge fans not to immediately believe everything being reported.

“Don’t believe everything you read. Stop. Think. Take a breath,” Root wrote on Instagram, adding that fans should wait for more information.

The speculation intensified when another report claimed Wilson’s departure was linked to alleged mistreatment of bandmates. The report characterised the decision as something that had been under consideration for some time rather than a sudden move.

It also suggested that Slipknot had intended to announce Wilson’s departure on its own terms but was forced to change its plans after the report emerged publicly.

The controversy surrounding Wilson has extended beyond his professional relationship with Slipknot.

His former fiancée, Kelly Osbourne, has publicly accused him of inappropriate behaviour and called on him to take responsibility for his actions. She also reportedly asked him to return her belongings and address child-support obligations involving their three-year-old son, Sidney.

Wilson has not publicly commented on Slipknot’s announcement or the allegations surrounding his departure.

For now, the band’s decision to confirm his exit and then remove the announcement has left fans trying to piece together what happened behind the scenes.

After nearly three decades with Slipknot, Wilson’s departure marks another significant change for a band whose lineup has already undergone several major shifts over the years.