TAMPA (CelebrityAccess) — Death metal icons Cannibal Corpse have released their first statement since the arrest of the band’s longtime lead guitarist Pat O’Brien earlier this month.
In a statement posted to the band’s Facebook page, a rep for the group said: “As a band and as individuals, we all want nothing but the best for our brother and partner, Pat. While we can offer no further information about the incident, we wanted everyone to know that Pat is getting the help he needs and appreciates the love and support from Cannibal Corpse fans around the world.”
O’Brien was arrested in a bizarre turn of events on December 10th, after he was alleged to have entered a residence without permission, knocked one of the residents of that house to the ground and then charged a sheriff’s deputy with a knife after they discovered him hiding in the backyard of the residence.
At the same time as O’Brien was being arrested, firefighters were battling a blaze at a nearby rented house where O’Brien lived, and investigators later discovered a large cache of weapons, which allegedly included two ‘military flamethrowers’, multiple assault rifles, more than 50 shotguns, 20 handguns, and a sawed-off shotgun, as well as several human skulls.
It is unclear if O’Brien had the proper paperwork for the more than 80 firearms investigators alleged they found in his home, but at least one of the firearms, the sawed-off shotgun, was illegal to possess.
Cannibal Corpse confirmed that they plant to fulfill their upcoming tour dates, which includes joining Slayer in May as part of that band’s farewell tour.
The post suggests that O’Brien will be taking a hiatus from the band, but may return in the future.
“Pat is currently with family and friends and looks forward to a healthy return at some point. For anyone wondering, all Cannibal Corpse touring will happen as planned and all shows will be played,” the statement added.
