As I Lay Dying fans were shocked Tuesday to learn of singer Tim Lambesis' arrest and desperately awaited word from the metal band about the alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Lambesis' bandmates — Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert — broke their silence late Wednesday (May 8), posting a statement to the AILD website addressed to "our fans."
"As we post this, the legal process is taking its course and we have no more information than you do," the statement reads. "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."
Lambesis was arrested in Oceanside, California, on Tuesday after allegedly soliciting an undercover detective to kill his estranged wife. The San Diego Sherriff's Department issued a statement explaining that they learned late last week that the singer intended to hire someone to help him murder Meggan Lambesis, who filed for dissolution of marriage in September of last year.
"Our detectives, our fugitive task force and the sheriff's special investigations division immediately initiated an investigation into this allegation," the statement read. "We worked around the clock through the weekend and that culminated [Tuesday] afternoon when Lambesis solicited an undercover detective to kill his wife."
Lambesis was charged with two counts — Solicitation of Another to Commit Murder and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime — and was booked in the Vista Detention Facility, where he is currently being held without bail. He will appear in court Thursday to be arraigned.