It’s always a solemn day in metal when someone dies. Unfortunately, John Byrd (formerly of King Conquer) joined the many who have passed in 2016. While it’s suspected it was a drug overdose, the band says they don’t want to be the ones to confirm how he died. This statement was released on Facebook early this morning:
“As many of you may have read earlier today, our former Guitarist John Byrd passed away. We didn’t part on the best terms, but we never could have wished this on him. He was our brother for the 4 years he was with the band up until substance started to take over. John was one of the smartest and most talented dudes in the world, and finding out about this today was just insane.Same day as Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley.
If you battle with substance abuse of any kind, PLEASE seek help. It’s not worth loosing the one life you have to live. Yes life can suck, it can suck really really bad sometimes, but take control and make this one life you have great!”
They later responded to a comment asking for a cause of death, saying:
“Yes (there is a cause of death). We just don’t want to be the ones that post about exactly how it happened.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Byrd’s family and King Conquer.
via [Metal Injection]
