Mikey Welsh, a painter and musician best-known for playing bass with Weezer from 1998 to 2001, was found dead in a Chicago hotel room on Saturday, Oct. 8. He was 40.
Welsh played on Weezer's self-titled 2001 album, nicknamed the "Green Album," which included the hits "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun." He dropped out of the band after suffering a nervous breakdown in 2001 and was replaced by Weezer's current bassist, Scott Shriner.
Welsh's body was found by staff at the Raffaello Hotel in his room early Saturday afternoon. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 2:50 p.m. Authorities told the Chicago Tribune that a drug overdose was the suspected cause of death, but this remains unconfirmed.
A statement on Weezer's official website read in part: "A unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father, and a great artist is gone, but we will never forget him. His chapter in the weezer story ('98 - '01) was vital, essential, wild, and amazing."
