His colleague, Ryan King, broke the news on Twitter earlier today, and linked to a crowdfund campaign that confirmed Ayers had died yesterday, 23rd September, “after a short illness”.
A Just Giving campaign, set up to help his partner and parents with “the considerable costs of a funeral”, states: “Brian James Ayers passed away on the 23rd September at the age of 42 after a short illness.
Sega Europe’s Brian Ayers has died at the age of 42.
There’s a Just Giving page to assist Ayers’ family and partner here.