Wayne Static’s Widow Tera Wray is Very Angry at Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix
When news of Wayne Static’s passing over the weekend first started circulating, MetalSucks and several other websites picked up on an Instagram post by Jacoby Shaddix in which the Papa Roach vocalist warned of the dangers of heavy drug use and in no uncertain terms insinuated that an overdose was to blame for the death. Shaddix later thought better of it once it came out that drugs weren’t [directly] involved and removed the post, but the Internet never forgets anything, and here’s what he wrote:
Too many musicians are dying from overdoses. I’m serious addiction is real and takes fools out. No one is invincible. So glad I live a sober life today. The number of friends that I have lost to addiction is crazy. If you are struggling with addiction get some help before it’s too late. I know drugs and partying are part of the ‘rock n roll lifestyle’ but damn how many more gotta die??? F–k the lifestyle I want life!!!! See you on the other side Wayne …
Shaddix later apologized for his hasty assumption on his Facebook page, but not before numerous sites assumed he was in the know and picked up his post, inadvertently propagating a rumor that wasn’t true. Understandably, Static’s widow Tera Wray isn’t happy about it. After issuing a measured statement about Static’s death yesterday, she issued another one early this morning in which she voices her extreme displeasure. While she stops short of calling out Shaddix by name, it’s clear who she’s talking about. Here’s the full statement:
Today is my husband’s birthday and instead of celebrating his 49th year of life, we are grieving his short 48 years. It has come to my attention that many have questions and opinions about the cause of the death of my husband in which I now find is necessary to further respond.
Wayne was not taking drugs, if anything he was a drinker, and did not OD. The autopsy will be done by this weekend at the soonest, however for some of the test results it will take up to 6 months to get the actual death certificate finalized. I hope that the results I am given will have some insight, but they told me what I will receive this weekend will be deemed incomplete until all tests are back.
We can all have opinions as to why – We all know that both Wayne and I had abused narcotics with alcohol in the past, which I am sure took a toll on his body, heart and soul. We were packing to travel on tour and were to leave that night, but it was Halloween and we decided to leave in the morning with our animals. I wish we had traveled that night then maybe had he fallen ill we could have gotten to the hospital. I will never know.
I find it disrespectful to our families and myself for negative spins that are being posted. For Wayne’s music peers to take it upon themselves to make comment about us, when they are not part of our daily lives or know us outside of tour and music, just to grab a headline to get themselves at the top of the gossip page is disgusting. This is not about you or what you feel is your expert opinion on people you have no relationship with, so shame on you – Do not act like we liked your band either. Wayne was a good soul and he is gone – That is what we do know. Please show some respect to him and his memory – We thank all that have left kind and positive messages in support of this terrible time – I am sure Wayne misses you too …… Tera Wray Static.
At this point I think everyone knows the truth and the damage control has been successful. Wray might be happy to learn that the post in which we announced that Static’s death was NOT drug related was far more popular than the post initially announcing his death. Sill, I can only imagine how stressful this entire week has been for her, and Shaddix’s role in that certainly didn’t help.
