Bob Bryar, Former My Chemical Romance Drummer, Dies at 44

Bob Bryar, former drummer for the rock band My Chemical Romance, has died. He was 44.

“The band asks for your patience and understanding as they process the news of Bob’s passing,” a spokesperson for My Chemical Romance said in a statement shared with Variety. Bryar’s cause of death had not been announced at the time of this article’s publication.

Bryar was found dead in his Tennessee home on Nov. 27, law enforcement sources told TMZ. He was reportedly last seen alive on Nov. 4, and sources say that foul play is not suspected as all of Bryar’s valuables and music equipment were left in his home untouched. A medical examiner is said to be performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

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Bryar joined My Chemical Romance in 2004, replacing original drummer Matt Pelissier after the release of the band’s sophomore album “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.” He performed on My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” (2006), “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” (2010) and “Conventional Weapons” (2013), a compilation album featuring ten unreleased songs that were recorded in 2009. Bryar, who left the band in 2010, remains the longest-tenured drummer for My Chemical Romance.

In a 2016 interview with Alternative Press, Bryar recalled leaving his job as a sound technician for The Used to join My Chemical Romance. At the time, the two rock bands were on tour together.

“I left a very good touring gig where I was tour managing and doing sound. I left that job to join a band that was filthy, had shitty gear, a smashed-up, smoking, death-trap van and was poor. They smelled bad, too,” Bryar said. “I was so happy to receive the offer. Long before we recorded ‘Welcome to the Black Parade,’ I knew that [MCR] were special and I wanted in. I wanted to help evolve the band and be able to shred with them every night.”

Bryar retired from the music industry in 2014 to pursue a career in real estate, according to Consequence. He also worked extensively with dog rescue charities and sanctuaries, auctioning off his My Chemical Romance memorabilia to support these efforts.