John McCarthy
DOB Unknown – January 27, 2009
John McCarthy was the lead singer and primary songwriter for Boston-based death metal band, Post Mortem. Formed in March of 1982, Post Mortem were one of death metal’s pioneers. They called it quits in 1994. After years battling diabetes and a pancreatic illness, John McCarthy passed away at the age of 40. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Corey Daum (Born Corey James)
DOB Unknown – January 24, 2009
Corey Daum was a guitarist for heavy metal stalwarts, Lizzy Borden from 1989 to 1996 although it’s not clear if he played on any of their albums. Daum was killed on a Nashville highway when the driver of the vehicle in which he was a passenger crashed into a concrete wall. The alleged drunk driver was charged with vehicular homicide. Corey Daum was 39 years old when he died.
Rhett Forrester
September 22, 1956 – January 22, 1994
Rhett Forrester was most famously, the lead singer of American hard rock band, Riot from 1981 to 1984. A charismatic stage performer, Forester likely took the best of his tennis and ballroom dance training into the hard rock arena where he helped lead Riot to the top of the US metal scene as a much-in-demand live act. Riot split up in 1984 and Forrester went on to release a well received solo album in 1986. Forrester’s life came to a tragic end in the early morning of January 22, 1994 in what is believed to be an act of random violence. While sitting at a stop light in Atlanta, Forrester was approached by two apparent strangers. According to a witness, there was a brief altercation, prompting one of the men to pull out a gun and shoot Forrester in the back. He drove a few blocks where he died as a result of the shooting. The perpetrator was never apprehended.
Dave Lepard (Born David Hellman)
May 28, 1980 – January 20, 2006
Dave Lepard is best remembered as the lead singer and guitarist for Swedish glam metal band, Crashdiet. Formed in 2000, the band built a sizable cult following due in part, to an image and sound that took its cue from the likes of Guns ‘n Roses, Motley Crue and Hanoi Rocks. They released their debut album, Rest in Sleaze in 2005. That following January, Dave Lepard committed suicide at the age of 25.
Joe Ptacek
May 1, 1972 – January 20, 2010
Joe Ptacek was the co-founder and lead singer for Illinois death-metal band, Broken Hope. Formed in the Chicago area in 1988, the band released five albums for Metal Blade Records before disbanding in 2002. The band had recently been discussing reforming. On January 20, 2010, Joe Ptacek died of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot. He was 37 years old.
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