As I Lay Dying’s singer Tim Labesis is under investigation for allegedly placing a hit for hire on his wife who he was in the process of divorcing. Grammy-nominated Lambesis, 32, was arrested on Tuesday in a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Oceanside, California, and charged with three federal counts, including one of solicitation to commit murder and two of conspiracy to commit crime after he reportedly tried to hire an undercover detective he believed was a hit man. The September 2012 divorce documents indicate that Lambesis’ split from his estranged wife, Meggan, was amicable, according to the Associated Press.
Meggan Lambesis claims that she had no fear for her life or any reason to assume that her life was in danger other than a few strange distances felt between her and her husband. In the divorce papers Meggan stated that her husband had become “obsessed with bodybuilding” and that he was constantly distracted by texting and talking on the phone when he was around her providing no time for their relationship. Labesis is being held without bail and is scheduled for an arraignment next Thursday. The couple adopted three children (4,8, 10) from Ethiopia and Lambesis saw them for around 10 hours a week when he was not on tour, according to the court documents. Meggan also stated in the divorce draft that Tim had called asleep at the beach once and that she needed a more “stable” parent to be around the children. She said the hard-working metal frontman toured six months a year and twice traveled across the country in one year to see his girlfriend, as well as spending thousands of dollars on his elaborate patchwork of tattoos. His bandmates Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert broke their silence and addressed the fans on Wednesday, posting a statement to the bands website.
“As we post this, the legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do. 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. 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. Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your support of As I Lay Dying.”
This is a devastation to fans and extremely surprising. Cancelled your dates will follow as well as a strung out trial. We all keep open ears and hearts to everyone involved.
