Matt Roberts’ Death: Mental Illness May Have Played A Role


The news that Matt Roberts of 3 Doors Down has passed away is still haunting fans, as they wait to hear what exactly caused the guitarist’s death at the too young age of 38. Preliminary supposition suggests that Roberts’ death was related to drug abuse, but Matt’s father opened up about personal situations which may have prompted the 3 Doors Down guitarist’s prescription drug use and how it may have ultimately led to his death. Matt Roberts played guitar from the 1996 formation of 3 Doors Down until 2012, when it was reported that Matt left the band for health reasons.

Darrell Roberts On Facing The Death Of His Son

Former 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts passed away early in the morning on Saturday in a Milwaukee hotel room, where he had been staying while participating in a Wisconsin fundraising concert, according to Rolling Stone. The event was organized to benefit veterans and Roberts had been away from the hotel, rehearsing for the event. Matt’s father, Darrell Roberts, had dropped the guitarist off at his hotel, where he was later found in a hallway.

A witness phoned the police hours later, reporting that a man had either passed out or fallen asleep in the hallway.

Darrell has said that police detectives awoke him at 8:50 that Saturday morning to inform him of Matt’s passing. Darrell describes the scene as one of the most frightening moments a parent can face, having to listen to the police break the news that one’s son or daughter has died. Mr. Roberts says the police first asked if Matt Roberts was his son, and once Darrell confirmed that information, they revealed to him that the former 3 Doors Down guitarist had passed away.

“They asked me if Matt Roberts was your son, I said yes, and they said ‘we have bad news to tell you, Matt deceased last night,'” says Mr. Roberts.

Did Mental Illness Play A Part In Matt Roberts’ Death?

At this time, the exact cause of Matt Roberts’ death is unknown and CNN shares the news that an autopsy is scheduled, but maybe Darrell Roberts has more insight to offer into the passing of the former 3 Doors Down guitarist. He reveals that Matt has had a long struggle with anxiety and that prescription medication was the only thing that seemed to manage the guitarist’s anxiety, but, before long, the medication soon became a problem, itself.

“I know he had prescription drug addiction. He suffered greatly from anxiety. It’s crazy as a performer; he never liked crowds or liked places he didn’t know about as a baby, as a child, and this was his way of dealing with it and me and him talked about it often,” Roberts said.

Darrell adds that Matt Roberts was no longer seeking treatment for his prescription drug addiction and that he had assumed the 3 Doors Down guitarist had beaten his drug related problems. He adds that Matt seemed to have been doing much better.

Mr. Roberts says he will attend the event at which his son was scheduled to perform, where he plans to make a statement about the 3 Doors Down guitarist’s passing.

“That’s what he would have liked, he put all this energy and effort to come out here to perform. I’ll put his guitar on stage and light it up and I’m going to say thanks to everybody and leave and go home in the morning,” he said.

In May, 2012, Matt Roberts made a statement to 3 Doors Down fans, revealing his decision to split from the band, stating that his health had to take a priority over “performing nearly 300 dates each year,” even though he adored the band and their fans. What seemed to have been intended as a temporary leave of absence from 3 Doors Down turned into a permanent split for Roberts.

[Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images]

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