Hawthorne Heights Guitarist Passes Away

Casey Calvert, guitarist for post-hardcore band Hawthorne Heights, passed away Saturday on the band's tour bus outside Washington, D.C.

The band were gearing up for the second show of Wintour 2007, which kicked off Friday night in Detroit, when the 26-year-old Calvert apparently passed away in his sleep. Police are still awaiting autopsy results.

"Today is probably the worst day ever," the band wrote in a post on their website. "It is 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."

Calvert joined Hawthorne Heights in 2003 when they were still known as A Day In The Life. He provided guitar and background screams on 2004's The Silence In Black And White and 2006's If Only You Were Lonely, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard sales chart in the U.S.

The band have been involved in a legal battle with Victory Records for more than a year. The band's third album, for which Hawthorne has already completed over 20 songs, has been delayed until a resolution can be reached.

It's unknown at this time what will happen to the band's current tour with Escape The Fate, Amber Pacific, The A.K.A.s and Secret Handshake.