Mikey Welsh, former bassist of the rock band Weezer, was found dead at 40 on Oct. 8 in a Chicago hotel room after he failed to check out that afternoon. Two weeks prior, Welsh oddly tweeted that he dreamed he would die in Chicago from a heart attack in his sleep.
According to ABC News, Police do not suspect any say foul play, but no cause of death has been determined yet. However, due to the strange ‘premonition’ tweet, and Welsh’s history–left Weezer in 2001 following a mental breakdown and drug problem, and a previous suicide attempt that brought Welsh in a coma after his heart stopped beating (an account Welsh admitted to six years later–speculations of suicide have surfaced.
After leaving Weezer, Welsh focused on becoming a full time artist and painter. His last tweet announced a new painting he had just finished and posted on Facebook, “new drawing [for sale] “mama’s little pills spilled all over the floor” 8 1/2x 11″ acrylic, ink, on cardstock… http://fb.me/xQgAIaIO.”
Welsh’s previous tweets gave no indication of depression and no more mention of his strange premonition, but indicated excitement for he hadn’t been on vacation in “quite a long time.” Welsh had planned to attend a Weezer show that Sunday night while in Chicago. The band still played the show, dedicating it to their former bandmate.
Fans of Welsh continue to turn to Welsh’s Twitter and Facebook to give condolences and share stories, while the site Weezerpedia has set up a digital eulogy page.
Note: Reporting for this piece came directly from social networking sites. @DigBoston tweeted 6 hours ago, “IN MEMORIAM: MIKEY WELSH: http://goo.gl/gb1EX by Ami Bennitt,” which led me to read more about the events. I cconnected to Welsh’s twitter and facebook which led me to more articles, specifically Billboard.com’s report and ABC News.