Casey Calvert is Dead

Casey Calvert died in his sleep. Although an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death, most often the cause is from a brain artery aneurysm rupturing, or a heart arrhythmia. Heart attacks can also be the cause, but most often they are not detected in an autopsy because the heart muscle may not show damage beyond that of post mortem decomposition, and the clot usually dissolves upon the person’s death. MTV reports:

Hawthorne Heights guitarist Casey Calvert, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday after police were called to the band’s tour bus outside Washington, D.C.’s 9:30 Club around 2:30 p.m. and found him unconscious. The Washington Post reported that Calvert’s death came one day after he and his bandmates boarded the bus to begin their Wintour 2007 outing, which kicked off Friday night in Detroit. Police are awaiting results of an autopsy.

On the group’s Web site, fellow band members announced the death of their "quirky and awesome best friend," who they said had "passed away in his sleep."

"Today is probably the worst day ever," the group wrote. "It’s with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before sound-check. We’ve spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we’re not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don’t contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don’t want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know. Sincerely, Hawthorne Heights: Eron, JT, Micah and Matt."

Calvert joined Hawthorne Heights in 2003, when they were still known as A Day in the Life, playing guitar — and famously providing background "screams" — on both of their albums, The Silence in Black and White and last year’s If Only You Were Lonely, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Albums Chart.

Very sad.