Bob Bryar, drummer for My Chemical Romance during the years of 2004 to 2010, has died at the age of 44.
TMZ reports that Bryar was found dead at his home in Tennessee on November 26, more than three weeks after he'd last been seen alive. Bryar's body was said to be "badly decomposed," and the medical examiner is looking into the cause and manner of his death.
No foul play has been suspected due to possessions such as weapons and music equipment being found in Bryar's home. Animal control, meanwhile, were called in to take away the drummer's two dogs.
Update: The members of My Chemical Romance issued a statement on socials that reads, "It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Bob Bryar, our former bandmate and an important part of the history of My Chemical Romance. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family at this time. May he rest in peace."
Bryar was born Chicago in 1979, and earned a degree in sound engineering from the University of Florida. Shortly after he began working as a touring sound engineer for bands like Thrice and The Used.
He joined MCR in 2004, just after the release of their second album, 2004's Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, when co-founder and drummer Matt Pelissier decided to leave the band. At the time he was on tour as a drum tech for MCR tourmates The Used.
He would help write and record My Chemical Romance's definitive album, 2006's The Black Parade, as well as its follow-up, 2010's Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.
Bryar would serve as the band's longest tenured drummer until 2010, when he was forced to leave the band due to complications with his wrist, which his bandmate Ray Toroo said was “a painful decision for all of us to make and was not taken lightly.”
Following his departure, Bryar stayed in the music industry for a few years before quitting altogether to take up a career in real estate.