Jake Raymond is the Third Vital Remains Frontman to Pass Away in Eleven Months

I sincerely don’t mean to make light of anyone’s loss. But this is so bizarre.

Last July 4, Chris Ross, former touring frontman for Vital Remains, allegedly got into a drunken fight with his brother-in-law, resulting in his murder.

Then, in November, Scott Willey, who fronted the band from 2008 to 2012 but never recorded with them, died suddenly (the cause of his death was never reported).

Now Jake Raymond, ANOTHER former touring vocalist for the group, has also passed away, according to a statement from guitarist Tony Lazaro:

“I found out late yesterday some very sad news that a old friend and Vital Remains singer passed away. His name was Jake Raymond, and he was a good friend! Some of you might remember Jake was VR’s vocalist back in 2001 before we recorded ‘Dechristianize’ album. He really love the band and always held us in high regard. Even though i hadn’t spoken or seen Jake in a few years i always hope things were going good for him. I remember the last time i saw him he came out to one of our local shows in Providence and we had fun catching up and talking about the good old days! We laughed alot that night and i remember he started helping me sell merch and asked if i needed any help? You were always trying to help bro and i wish i could have helped you bro. Thank you for that and everything else you did for me!! I will always remember the good times we had brother! This is really so sad. I’m sick of losing so many friends this year. This makes three Vital Remains singers that passed in the last year. Three brothers i will not forget! Thank you Jake for your friendship and all your help when i needed it! Thank you for all your work with the band!! I wish i could have been there for you more brother, but we kind of took different paths. I hope you are at peace now. Rest easy brother and until we meet again. My Deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Jake”

Although no specific cause of death has been reported, a local obituary for the forty-year-old Raymond states that  “Jake’s long struggle with addiction is now over and he has finally found the peace he sought.”

If Raymond, Willey, and Ross were all from the same town, it would be cause for an investigation into the local environment, and depending on the results of that investigation, possibly a class action lawsuit. That they were all in the same band at different points is just strange and sad. There are five more living former frontmen for Vital Remains, including Deicide’s Glen Benton, as well as the group’s current vocalist, Brian Werner. For the love of all things unholy, stay safe out there, dudes.

[via The PRP]