Tim Lambesis In Court Today For Murder-For-Hire Plot, Stunned Fans React
Tim Lambesis, heavy metal frontman for Christian group As I Lay Dying and the creator of Arnold Swarzenegger parody project Austrian Death Machine, will appear in court Thursday to be arraigned on one felony count of soliciting someone to murder his wife for pay. He was arrested within days of landing back home in southern California after a successful tour of Asia, ending up in the county jail in Vista where he’s currently being held without bond.
So what happened?
As The Inquisitr reported yesterday, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said that they got a tip that Tim Lambesis was shopping for someone to kill his wife, who filed for divorce in September. They put together an undercover sting operation and arrested the performer when he apparently took the bait.
But the details are few, and prosecutors haven’t revealed much about their ongoing case.
As I Lay Dying posted their official statement late Wednesday night. Remaining band members Jordan Mancino, Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso and Josh Gilbert pointed out that they had no more information than anyone else:
“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.”
Meggan Lambesis hasn’t said much, and the divorce papers aren’t particularly revealing. According to The Washington Post, the couple was undergoing private mediation to arrange the permanent custody of three young children that they adopted from Ethiopia, and Tim was apparently an involved father who still saw them 10 hours a week despite his hectic schedule.
In her court filing, she complained that he was “obsessed with bodybuilding” and sometimes texted or talked on the phone while watching the children. Oh, and once he fell asleep at the beach while watching them.
She believed he had a girlfriend and also wasn’t thrilled about the fact that he’d spent thousands of dollars on tattoos.
It hardly seems to foreshadow an attempted murder-for-hire.
His fans love Tim Lambesis. Earlier this year, Lambesis asked for donations to help fund Austrian Death Machine’s third album. He asked for $63,000 in April and has already received pledges of over $78,000.
The murder-for-hire accusation naturally has fans reeling in shock. It pretty much seems to come out of nowhere.
He looks healthy and happy in the last instagram he sent from China, hours before arriving home in California. There’s an outpouring of support from fans posted to Instagram. Here’s a couple of comments:
From logan aild123: “I love you Tim! Keep your head up brother I wish you nothing but the best. You’ve been a huge role model of mine for many years.”
From bcress44: “Tim you have become a true inspiration to me, I see you as a true role model through my eyes. I’m 16 and make mistakes like most of us teenagers do but you’ve inspirited me to become a better kid and live a healthier life. I’m and an idiot so I started smoking at about 14 and around last summer after shaking your hand at Mayhem I’ve stopped and started taking care of my body. I’m really hoping that this whole situation that your in isn’t true, I actually feel pain that your even in it and I’m praying that this will all pass and you’ll be able to go home. Much love.”
Right now, the future is up in the air for Tim Lambesis.
Goodbye China. I’ll be home in about 15 hours. instagram.com/p/Y9p9mTIh7J/
— Tim Lambesis (@timlambesis) May 6, 2013
I love the crowds here in Asia and the Pacific. Great shows in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand so far! Just landed in Hong Kong.
— Tim Lambesis (@timlambesis) May 1, 2013
[Tim Lambesis in China by Tim Lambesis via Instagram]
[As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis photo by Lia Koltyrina / Shutterstock.com]
