Bob Bryar, who was My Chemical Romance's drummer at the height of the band's popularity, has died, a spokesman confirmed Sunday.
Bryan was 44 years old.
“The band asks for your patience and understanding as they process the news of Bob's passing,” the influential emo band's spokesperson said in a brief statement that did not include any additional details.
TMZ reported that Bryar's body was found inside his Tennessee home, partially decomposed, after he had not been seen for several weeks. Police did not suspect foul play, the site reported, because belongings, including Bryar's musical equipment, were found intact. The Times could not confirm these details Sunday night.
Originally from Chicago, Bryar replaced drummer Matt Pelissier in 2004 and played on the group's 2006 effort, “The Black Parade,” which earned a Grammy nomination and later landed on Rolling Stone's best-of list. 500 best albums of all time. He was the longest-serving drummer in the band.
When Bryar left My Chemical Romance in 2010, he reportedly decided to leave the music industry entirely. He later auctioned off a battery to raise money for an animal adoption center in Tennessee's Williamson County. According to Rolling Stone, Bryar continued to tour behind the scenes with various bands after leaving My Chemical Romance and became involved in sanctuaries and dog rescue charities.
He later tried his hand in real estate, and online records showed he was licensed to practice in the state of Tennessee.
My Chem, as the band is known to its fans, formed in 2001 in New Jersey and released a total of four studio albums, two of which sold more than a million copies each. The band first broke through with 2004's “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.” In 2013, the members announced their breakup; a year later, they released a greatest hits collection titled “May Death Never Stop You.” In 2019 a reunion was announced. The bandmates later revealed that they had met privately two years earlier. The shows were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 2022, when the band also released their first new song in eight years, “The Foundations of Decay.”
Earlier this year, the band announced that they would embark on a North American stadium tour in 2025 to celebrate the album “The Black Parade.” The 10-date tour will include a July 26 stop at Dodger Stadium.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
