We are saddened to report, former Morbid Angel guitarist Richard Brunelle has passed away on Monday (23rd). No official cause of death has been revealed at this time. According to Blabbermouth, the news broke out by his sister-in-law, Megan Box-Brunnele. She issued the following statement via Facebook:
“This is Richie’s sister-in-law. This devastating post is at the request of my husband and his mother. It is with deep regret and sorrow that we inform Richie’s friends and fans that he passed away [on Monday]. Please feel free to visit the link to share memories and condolences. Rest in peace, Richie. You were so loved and will be forever missed.”
Brunelle’s former bandmate, Pete Sandoval shared the news via Instagram with the following message:
“This is really sad! So many great memories we shared together that I’ll never forget, hope and wish you are in a better place. My condolences to his family. I just received an email from his family letting me know about this sad news, please, a little respect guys, don’t ask me the cause of death or something like that, does it matter? he just passed away and that’s sad. Thanks.”
Brunelle was in Morbid Angel primarily between 1985 and 1992 and has been part of the Florida death metal act’s first two records: 1989’s Altars of Madness and 1991’s Blessed Are The Sick. Brunelle managed to return a few times over the years, mainly in the mid-late nineties. Following his career with Morbid Angel, Brunelle co-founded Paths of Possession in 1999 and most recently, he launched a new project called Mosaic Covenant.
Our thoughts go to Brunelle’s friends and family during this difficult time.
