As I Lay Dying members issue statement on Tim Lambesis’ arrest
One day after the lead singer of the Christian metal act As I Lay Dying was arrested on charges he tried to hire a man to kill his estranged wife the members of the group issued a statement to the media saying, “we have no more information than you.” The bandmates of Tim Lambesis promised to keep fans “informed as best we can.”
The Grammy-nominated Lambesis was arrested in Oceanside on Tuesday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Lambesis, 32, was charged on three federal counts -- one count of solicitation to commit murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit crime.
The muscular, heavily tattooed Lambesis was arrested without incident after detectives received a tip that he wanted to hire a killer and set up a meeting, authorities said. Lambesis, who is being held without bail, is set to be arraigned Thursday in Vista Superior Court on felony charges of soliciting murder.
The singer allegedly tried to hire an undercover San Diego County sheriff’s detective, posing as a hit man for hire, to kill his estranged wife, Meggan. The arrest “prevented a tragedy,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Jan Caldwell told Fox 5 in San Diego.
“As we post this, the legal process is taking it’s course and we have no more information than you do,” read a statement attributed to the other four members of the quintet. “There are many unanswered questions, and the situation will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. We’ll keep you informed as best we can.”
The statement was distributed to the media via a spokeswoman for indie label Metal Blade. As I Lay Dying has worked with the imprint since 2003 and released its sixth album, “Awakened,” in the fall of 2012. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard pop chart.
The statement was attributed to drummer Jordan Mancino, guitarists Nick Hipa and Phil Sgrosso and bassist Josh Gilbert. “Our thoughts right now are with Tim, his family, and with everyone else affected by this terrible situation -- and with our fans, whom we love and draw strength from,” read the statement. “Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your support of As I Lay Dying.”
Times staff writer Tony Perry contributed to this post.
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