Austin Carlile (Ex-Of Mice & Men) Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations
Last week, a woman named Caitlyn Stiffler took to social media to slam Alternative Press, accusing the media outlet of burying a story about former Of Mice & Men frontman Austin Carlile sexually assaulting fifteen women. Alt Press responded by saying that although the story hasn’t run for legal reasons, “we’re going to reopen this & find the answers you’re looking for.” Of Mice & Men, meanwhile, released a statement in which they asserted that “neither the band, nor the team around us, has had any part in suppressing any such article,” and that “We absolutely condemn sexual violence and harassment in any form.”
Now Carlile has issued a statement of his own, in which he calls the allegations “false and defamatory.” You can read that entire statement below.
“In my younger years, I absolutely was not the best person, but I have never physically abused, preyed upon, forced myself upon, or drugged any woman. These accusations are false and defamatory.
“I am not a perfect person: I smoked marijuana daily, drank often, got into fights and acted like a jerk more times than I can count. I did things and acted in ways that I am not proud of, but never have I violated anyone.
“These ‘accusations’ being thrown around on social media, in our current ‘cancel culture’ climate, are extremely heinous and completely without merit.
“My wife is a molestation and rape survivor, and I have personally seen the deep, long-standing pain that she battles with every day. I have spent years surrendering my flesh over to God, allowing Him to constantly improve who I am as a man, husband, and father.
“During this past week, I have even had the joy of seeing the heartbeat of my new child for the very first time. Today, I am focused on supporting my pregnant wife, our daughter, this new blessing in our lives, my health, my wife’s health, and striving to be a better person every day.
“These accusations have been investigated by the appropriate authorities as well as independent journalists and were determined to be unfounded.
“I apologise to the Marfan Foundation, I Am Second, my former bandmates and any of our dedicated fans who have been unjustly brought into this controversy and wish them all nothing but the best.
“All women deserve to feel safe, supported, and heard, but these unjust attacks upon my family and accusations against me, are decades-old claims that are unfounded.”
MetalSucks will continue to follow further developments in this story closely.
